Article
Microbiology
Mariko Kanai, Tomas Yeo, Victor Asua, Philip J. Rosenthal, David A. Fidock, Sachel Mok
Summary: The study presents a SNP-based genotyping method that enables the rapid characterization of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The method utilizes both multiplexed fragment analysis and gel electrophoresis to distinguish different strains. The results demonstrate the potential applications of the method in drug resistance screening, verifying SNP-editing, identifying novel genetic cross progeny, and inferring geographical origins.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Clara Vega, Victoria Fernandez, Luis Gil, Maria Valbuena-Carabana
Summary: This study evaluates the clonal and fine-scale spatial genetic structure of English holly in a sub-Mediterranean mixed forest in central Spain. The results show high clonal diversity and strong fine-scale genetic structure in the dense coppiced area, while the open woody pasture area exhibits weaker structure. Current management strategies do not seem to negatively affect the genetic diversity of this species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Allison T. Neal
Summary: The distribution of malaria parasite clones among hosts differs significantly from traditional statistical distributions, but is similar to zero-inflated modifications. There is a consistent excess of two-clone infections compared to one-clone infections. The bias introduced by the simple method for estimating MOI did not qualitatively alter the results.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devadathan Valiyamangalath Sethumadhavan, Gayathri Govindaraju, C. A. Jabeena, Arumugam Rajavelu
Summary: Antigenic variation is an essential mechanism for the malaria parasite to establish chronic infection in humans. The study has identified a novel mechanism of H3K36me3 mark propagation on var genes by allosteric regulation of PfSET2 protein by H3K36me2 mark.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Zena Lapp, Andrew A. Obala, Lucy Abel, David A. Rasmussen, Kelsey M. Sumner, Elizabeth Freedman, Steve M. Taylor, Wendy Prudhomme-O'Meara
Summary: This study compared the genetic diversity, prevalence, and evenness of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in human and mosquito hosts. The results showed that the parasite populations in mosquitoes were more diverse compared to humans, and the prevalence of haplotypes was more even in humans. In addition, infections in humans were more likely to harbor dominant haplotypes. Furthermore, there was little overlap in the genetic composition of abdomen and head infections within a mosquito.
Article
Ecology
Neil-Michel Longo-Pendy, Larson Boundenga, Boris Kevin Makanga, Clark Mbou-Boutambe, Lemonde Bouafou, Ousmane Akone-Ella, Lynda Chancelya Nkoghe-Nkoghe, Sonia Lekana-Douki, Jean-Bernard Lekana-Douki, Pierre Kengne
Summary: Despite efforts to control malaria, it remains a major health burden, particularly in Sub-Saharan countries. In Gabon, there is a lack of knowledge on malaria transmission, specifically the diversity of Anopheles species involved. This study aimed to determine the Anopheles diversity in different environments of Gabon's Nyanga province.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Damilola R. Oresegun, Cyrus Daneshvar, Janet Cox-Singh
Summary: Malaria is a significant health issue in African nations, and the pathophysiology of severe disease remains poorly understood. Utilizing Plasmodium knowlesi as a model system can provide valuable insights into severe malaria. The use of the MinION platform for generating long-read third-generation Plasmodium genome sequence data offers accessible and real-time information on clinically relevant parasite diversity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Pornpawee Sookpongthai, Korawich Utayopas, Thassanai Sitthiyotha, Theerakamol Pengsakul, Morakot Kaewthamasorn, Kittikhun Wangkanont, Pongchai Harnyuttanakorn, Surasak Chunsrivirot, Sittiporn Pattaradilokrat
Summary: This study investigated the global diversity of Pfs25 in P. falciparum populations, identifying 11 unique haplotypes, with H1 and H2 as the major haplotypes. The distribution patterns of these haplotypes varied across different geographical populations, with limited polymorphism likely due to negative selection.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Lisa N. Barrow, Selina M. Bauernfeind, Paxton A. Cruz, Jessie L. Williamson, Daniele L. Wiley, John E. Ford, Matthew J. Baumann, Serina S. Brady, Andrea N. Chavez, Chauncey R. Gadek, Spencer C. Galen, Andrew B. Johnson, Xena M. Mapel, Rosario A. Marroquin-Flores, Taylor E. Martinez, Jenna M. McCullough, Jade E. McLaughlin, Christopher C. Witt
Summary: The turnover in species composition, or beta diversity, is influenced by geography, environment, and biotic interactions. The study found that avian haemosporidian communities in temperate-zone forests differ on relatively fine spatial scales between adjacent sky islands. Null models are essential tools for testing the spatial scale of turnover in complex and undersampled systems.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tyler S. Brownid, Olufunmilayo Arogbokun, Caroline O. Buckeeid, Hsiao-Han Changid
Summary: Measuring gene flow between malaria parasite populations in different geographic locations can provide strategic information for malaria control interventions. This report examines the use of population-level genetic divergence and relatedness summaries to distinguish levels of gene flow between malaria populations, addressing important questions about data size, sampling, and interpretability of observations.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa D. Conrad, Victor Asua, Shreeya Garg, David Giesbrecht, Karamoko Niare, Sawyer Smith, Jane F. Namuganga, Thomas Katairo, Jennifer Legac, Rebecca M. Crudale, Patrick K. Tumwebaze, Samuel L. Nsobya, Roland A. Cooper, Moses R. Kamya, Grant Dorsey, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Philip J. Rosenthal
Summary: This study identified multifocal emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum with partial resistance to artemisinins in Uganda. The emergence and spread of resistance were predominantly observed in areas where effective malaria control had been discontinued or transmission was unstable.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Linda E. Amoah, Kwame K. Asare, Donu Dickson, Sherik-Fa Anang, Abena Busayo, Dorcas Bredu, George Asumah, Nana Peprah, Alexander Asamoah, Benjamin Abuaku, Keziah L. Malm
Summary: Clinical presentations of malaria in Ghana are mainly caused by Plasmodium falciparum, with a minor contribution from Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. PCR can detect low-density (submicroscopic) malaria infections, and more sensitive point-of-care tools are needed to diagnose these cases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nguyen Van Dung, Nguyen Quang Thieu, Hoang Dinh Canh, Bui Le Duy, Vu Viet Hung, Nguyen Thi Hong Ngoc, Nguyen Vu Tuyet Mai, Ngo Thi Van Anh, Le Duy Son, Win Han Oo, Win Htike, May Chan Oo, Naw Hkawng Galau, Kaung Myat Thu, Aung Khine Zaw, Ei Phyu Htwe, Julia C. Cutts, Ellen A. Kearney, Bangyuan Wang, Paul A. Agius, Freya J. I. Fowkes, Katherine O'Flaherty
Summary: A study was conducted to investigate the abundance, composition, and biting behavior of Anopheles mosquitoes in forest and agricultural areas in Gia Lai province, Vietnam. The results showed that the number of primary malaria vectors and the infection rate of Plasmodium spp. were low at the end of the rainy season in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. However, it is recommended to use additional personal protective measures to prevent malaria transmission in this region.
Article
Ecology
Lisa Mazumder, Rick Kesseli
Summary: Dandelions have a worldwide distribution in urban environments despite the lack of sexual reproduction in most areas. The impact of this unusual natural history on population structure and diversity is investigated using genetic markers, showing high levels of genetic diversity within populations and seasonal genotypic differentiation.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brendan Fries, Carlos A. Guerra, Guillermo A. Garcia, Sean L. Wu, Jordan M. Smith, Jeremias Nzamio Mba Oyono, Olivier T. Donfack, Jose Osa Osa Nfumu, Simon Hay, David L. Smith, Andrew J. Dolgert
Summary: Different population layers performed differently in matching the gold standard distribution at different population densities. Choosing the appropriate population map has a significant impact on burden estimates in a malaria model.