Article
Immunology
Biraj Shrestha, Zalak Shah, Andrew P. Morgan, Piyaporn Saingam, Chaiyaporn Chaisatit, Suwanna Chaorattanakawee, Chantida Praditpol, Nonlawat Boonyalai, Paphavee Lertsethtakarn, Mariusz Wojnarski, Molly Deutsch-Feldman, Matthew Adams, Darapiseth Sea, Soklyda Chann, Stuart D. Tyner, Charlotte A. Lanteri, Michele D. Spring, David L. Saunders, Philip L. Smith, Chanthap Lon, Panita Gosi, Somethy Sok, Prom Satharath, Huy Rekol, Dysoley Lek, Brian A. Vesely, Jessica T. Lin, Norman C. Waters, Shannon Takala-Harrison
Summary: This study estimated the prevalence of piperaquine resistance mutations in Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in northern Cambodia from 2009 to 2017. The results showed a significant increase in newly emerged PfCRT mutations after the change to dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in 2010, with a decline in PfCRT F145I prevalence after 2014. Additionally, there was a decrease in parasites with amplified pfpm2 after the switch to artesunate-mefloquine.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vinay Shankar Tiwari, Prince Joshi, Kanchan Yadav, Anamika Sharma, Sushobhan Chowdhury, Ashan Manhas, Niti Kumar, Renu Tripathi, Wahajul Haq
Summary: A series of novel 4-aminoquinoline analogues with a methyl group were synthesized and evaluated for their antimalarial activity, showing good potential in inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum with low toxicity levels. The introduction of a 4-methylamino substitution is well tolerated and holds promise for the discovery of new antimalarial agents against drug-resistant malaria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arne Alder, Cecilia P. Sanchez, Matthew R. G. Russell, Lucy M. Collinson, Michael Lanzer, Michael J. Blackman, Tim-Wolf Gilberger, Joachim M. Matz
Summary: Malaria parasites use a complex to acidify the digestive vacuole and degrade host erythrocyte hemoglobin, which is essential for their survival in the human bloodstream.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Gervais Mouthe Happi, Pamela Kemda Nangmo, Liliane Clotide Dzouemo, Sorelle Fotsing Kache, Ariane Dolly Kenmogne Kouam, Jean Duplex Wansi
Summary: Meliaceae plants are important herbal sources for treating malaria in traditional African medicine. Studies have found significant antiplasmodial and insecticidal activities in this plant family, suggesting their potential as eco-friendly pesticides.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sungano Mharakurwa, Zvifadzo Matsena-Zingoni, Nobert Mudare, Charmaine Matimba, Tanatswa Xuxa Gara, Aramu Makuwaza, Gladys Maponga, Shungu Munyati, Lovemore Gwanzura, Susan L. Mutambu, Peter Mason, Tamaki Kobayashi, Nicholas Midzi, William J. Moss, Matthew M. Ippolito
Summary: The removal of chloroquine from national malaria formularies can lead to a decrease in chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, highlighting the significant impact of drug policy on antimalarial resistance in malaria control programs.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Fostino R. B. Bokosi, Richard M. Beteck, Mziyanda Mbaba, Thanduxolo E. Mtshare, Dustin Laming, Heinrich C. Hoppe, Setshaba D. Khanye
Summary: Several classes of antimalarial drugs are available, but issues of toxicity and drug resistant malaria parasites have reduced their efficiency. Quinoline based antiplasmodial drugs have a long-established history and continue to inspire the design of new antimalarial agents. Among a series of synthesized mono- and bisquinoline methanamine derivatives, compounds 40 and 59 showed the most promising in vitro antiplasmodial activity.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenna Rosanie Cordero Mallaupoma, Barbara Karina de Menezes Dias, Maneesh Kumar Singh, Rute Isabel Honorio, Myna Nakabashi, Camila de Menezes Kisukuri, Marcio Weber Paixao, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: Melatonin can synchronize the intraerythrocytic cycle of the parasite by triggering a specific signaling cascade. Compounds with certain chemical structures have inhibitory effects on the proliferation of malaria parasites, indicating their potential as new antimalarial drugs. The study found that certain synthetic compounds can inhibit different chloroquine-resistant strains of the parasite. In addition, melatonin affects the parasite load and modulates the expression of signaling components, providing a focus for further research.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Flore Nardella, Melissa Mairet-Khedim, Camille Roesch, Steven P. Maher, Sopheakvatey Ke, Rithea Leang, Didier Leroy, Benoit Witkowski
Summary: This study found strong cross-resistance between amodiaquine and AQ-13 in Cambodian P. falciparum isolates, indicating a significant risk of similar clinical efficacy of AQ-13-based combinations in areas of amodiaquine resistance.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Divya Beri, Manpreet Singh, Marilis Rodriguez, Mihaela Barbu-Stevanovic, Giselle Rasquinha, Avital Mendelson, Xiuli An, Deepa Manwani, Karina Yazdanbakhsh, Cheryl A. Lobo
Summary: Sickle red blood cells (RBCs) naturally resist hemoparasite infections, and this study investigates the factors involved in this resistance using Babesia divergens grown in sickle (SS) and sickle trait (AS) cells. Factors such as oxygenation, fetal hemoglobin positivity, cellular redox environment and parasite dynamics influence the proliferation of Babesia in different RBCs. By developing an image flow cytometric tool, the researchers were able to identify sickled cells and constituent Hb, and found that hypoxic conditions impaired parasite growth while oxygenation alleviated cell sickling and inhibited parasite proliferation. Host-cells of choice were identified as HbF+-SS under both hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions. These findings contribute to understanding the natural resistance to Babesia and can aid in developing novel therapies against human babesiosis.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Belinda J. Njiro, Ritah F. Mutagonda, Amisa T. Chamani, Tosi Mwakyandile, Deodatus Sabas, George M. Bwire
Summary: This systematic review examined the prevalence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in African countries. The results showed that chloroquine-resistant parasites continue to disappear in countries where chloroquine has been withdrawn. In areas with significant susceptible parasites, the reintroduction of chloroquine in combination with other antimalarials can be considered.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Rebecca C. S. Edgar, Natalie A. Counihan, Sheena McGowan, Tania F. de Koning-Ward
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains a global health problem due to the parasite's resistance to all antimalarials. Current therapeutics target the parasite's digestive vacuole, and studying this organelle is essential for understanding its function and developing new treatments.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Margaux Chauvet, Cerina Chhuon, Joanna Lipecka, Sebastien Dechavanne, Celia Dechavanne, Murielle Lohezic, Margherita Ortalli, Damien Pineau, Jean-Antoine Ribeil, Sandra Manceau, Caroline Le Van Kim, Adrian J. F. Luty, Florence Migot-Nabias, Slim Azouzi, Ida Chiara Guerrera, Anais Merckx
Summary: This passage discusses the possible reasons for the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in certain populations may be related to the protective effect of HbS against severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. By studying protein phosphorylation, it reveals the impact of HbS heterozygous carriage on the phosphorylation of proteins in red blood cell membranes and skeletal proteins, as well as parasite proteins during infection with malaria, which may lead to a less severe manifestation of malaria symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Oluyemi A. Okunlola, Oyetunde T. Oyeyemi
Summary: Malaria incidence was negatively correlated with measles cases and positively correlated with yellow fever cases. The relationships were more significant between death due to malaria and measles/yellow fever cases. These findings could be crucial for the management of malaria and the vaccine-preventable diseases studied. Increasing vaccination coverage and/or improving malaria treatment may influence the direction of these relationships.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
John A. Adegoke, Kamila Kochan, Philip Heraud, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: The study successfully utilized an inexpensive near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer to detect and quantify malaria infection, distinguished infected and uninfected red blood cells, and established the detection limits of the technique. By selecting sensitive models, a robust prediction of parasitemia was achieved, indicating promising prospects for future research.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Borja Hanhsen, Afia Farrukh, Gabriele Pradel, Che Julius Ngwa
Summary: This study characterized the CCCH zinc finger protein ZNF4 in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and found that it plays a crucial role in male gametocyte exflagellation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maneesh K. Singh, Giulliana Tessarin-Almeida, Barbara K. M. Dias, Pedro Scarpellli Pereira, Fahyme Costa, Jude M. Przyborski, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: The study demonstrates the significant role of the nuclear protein PfMORC in regulating the asexual cycle of the malaria parasite, with its expression being influenced by melatonin. PfMORC, in conjunction with melatonin signaling pathways, is essential for parasite synchronization.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Helen R. Savage, Victor S. Santos, Thomas Edwards, Emanuele Giorgi, Sanjeev Krishna, Timothy D. Planche, Henry M. Staines, Joseph R. A. Fitchett, Daniela E. Kirwan, Ana I. Cubas Atienzar, David J. Clark, Emily R. Adams, Luis E. Cuevas
Summary: A systematic review found that approximately 85% of individuals with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection have detectable neutralising antibodies, with the proportion varying with disease severity. There is a need for an international reference standard to measure SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kleber Simonio Parreira, Pedro Scarpelli, Wania Rezende Lima, R. S. Garcia
Summary: This review discusses new technologies that have been used to understand how Plasmodium spp escape from the immune system and manipulate host physiology. The manuscript highlights the contributions of microarray approaches, RNA-Seq, and single-cell RNA sequencing in discovering transcripts and changing the concept of gene expression regulation in closely related malaria parasite species. It also emphasizes the role of high-throughput RNA sequencing in advancing our knowledge on malaria parasite biology, physiology, vaccine development, and identifying new players in parasite signaling.
CURRENT TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Catherine M. Moore, Jigang Wang, Qingsong Lin, Pedro Ferreira, Mitchell A. Avery, Khaled Elokely, Henry M. Staines, Sanjeev Krishna
Summary: Treatment failures with artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) pose a threat to global malaria eradication efforts. This study successfully developed a compound-screening tool using heterologous expression, which identified PfATP6 as a validated drug target for artemisinins and discovered unrelated classes of inhibitors for PfATP6.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Photini Sinnis, David A. Fidock
Summary: In 2020, malaria caused the death of an estimated 627,000 individuals worldwide, with a majority of deaths occurring in children under the age of five in Africa. The recent approval of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine by the World Health Organization (WHO) offers hope in combating the current resurgence of malaria through combined interventions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura E. de Vries, Patrick A. M. Jansen, Catalina Barcelo, Justin Munro, Julie M. J. Verhoef, Charisse Flerida A. Pasaje, Kelly Rubiano, Josefine Striepen, Nada Abla, Luuk Berning, Judith M. Bolscher, Claudia Demarta-Gatsi, Rob W. M. Henderson, Tonnie Huijs, Karin M. J. Koolen, Patrick K. Tumwebaze, Tomas Yeo, Anna C. C. Aguiar, Inigo Angulo-Barturen, Alisje Churchyard, Jake Baum, Benigno Crespo Fernandez, Aline Fuchs, Francisco-Javier Gamo, Rafael V. C. Guido, Maria Belen Jimenez-Diaz, Dhelio B. Pereira, Rosemary Rochford, Camille Roesch, Laura M. Sanz, Graham Trevitt, Benoit Witkowski, Sergio Wittlin, Roland A. Cooper, Philip J. Rosenthal, Robert W. Sauerwein, Joost Schalkwijk, Pedro H. H. Hermkens, Roger Bonnert, Brice Campo, David A. Fidock, Manuel Llinas, Jacquin C. Niles, Taco W. A. Kooij, Koen J. Dechering
Summary: In this study, a pantothenamide, MMV693183, was presented as a first-in-class acetyl-CoA synthetase (AcAS) inhibitor with attractive drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy. The compound showed potent activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and effectively blocked transmission to Anopheles mosquitoes. These findings make MMV693183 a promising candidate for further clinical development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenna Rosanie Cordero Mallaupoma, Barbara Karina de Menezes Dias, Maneesh Kumar Singh, Rute Isabel Honorio, Myna Nakabashi, Camila de Menezes Kisukuri, Marcio Weber Paixao, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: Melatonin can synchronize the intraerythrocytic cycle of the parasite by triggering a specific signaling cascade. Compounds with certain chemical structures have inhibitory effects on the proliferation of malaria parasites, indicating their potential as new antimalarial drugs. The study found that certain synthetic compounds can inhibit different chloroquine-resistant strains of the parasite. In addition, melatonin affects the parasite load and modulates the expression of signaling components, providing a focus for further research.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Benoit Laleu, Kelly Rubiano, Tomas Yeo, Irene Hallyburton, Mark Anderson, Benigno Crespo-Fernandez, Francisco-Javier Gamo, Yevgeniya Antonova-Koch, Pamela Orjuela-Sanchez, Sergio Wittlin, Gouranga P. Jana, Bikash C. Maity, Elodie Chenu, James Duffy, Peter Sjo, David Waterson, Elizabeth Winzeler, Eric Guantai, David A. Fidock, Thomas G. Hansson
Summary: A new antimalarial treatment with activity against multiple life-cycle stages of the Plasmodium parasites, including drug-resistant strains, has been discovered.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Mariko Kanai, Laura M. Hagenah, Elizabeth A. Ashley, Kelly Chibale, David A. Fidock
Summary: Recent progress has been made in the field of malaria research, specifically in the areas of antimalarial drug resistance and discovery. A conference held in Breckenridge, Colorado in April 2022 provided a platform for scientists to share advancements in this field, bringing together experts, postdocs, and students from around the world.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benedito M. Dos Santos, Jude M. Przyborski, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: English Summary: The GPCR-like SR25 in Plasmodium falciparum, a species of apicomplexan parasites, is activated by a shift in potassium concentration, allowing the parasite to take advantage of its development by sensing different ionic concentrations in the external milieu. This pathway involves the activation of phospholipase C and an increase in cytosolic calcium. This report summarizes the role of potassium ions during parasite development based on available literature, contributing to our understanding of the cell cycle of Plasmodium spp.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sumit Mukherjee, Armiyaw S. Nasamu, Kelly C. Rubiano, Daniel E. Goldberg
Summary: Following replication, daughter merozoites of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum escape from the infected host red blood cell by rupturing the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and the red blood cell membrane. The proteolytic cascade of the serine protease SUB1 regulates this membrane breakdown. The activation of SUB1, which involves the processing of its zymogen form, is partially mediated by the aspartic protease PM X. The involvement of PM X in SUB1 activation occurs through direct cleavage of inhibitory segments. The relief of propiece inhibition via a heterologous protease is a novel mechanism for subtilisin activation.
Article
Microbiology
Eduardo Alves, Helder Nakaya, Euzebio Guimares, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: In this study, a potential candidate for IP3 receptor in Plasmodium falciparum, a protein associated with multidrug resistance, was identified through a combination of biochemical and bioinformatic analyses.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert L. Summers, Charisse Flerida A. Pasaje, Joao P. Pisco, Josefine Striepen, Madeline R. Luth, Krittikorn Kumpornsin, Emma F. Carpenter, Justin T. Munro, De Lin, Andrew Plater, Avinash S. Punekar, Andrew M. Shepherd, Sharon M. Shepherd, Manu Vanaerschot, James M. Murithi, Kelly Rubiano, Asli Akidi, Sabine Ottilie, Nimisha Mittal, A. Hazel Dilmore, Madalyn Won, Rebecca E. K. Mandt, Kerry McGowen, Edward Owen, Chris Walpole, Manuel Llinas, Marcus C. S. Lee, Elizabeth A. Winzeler, David A. Fidock, Ian H. Gilbert, Dyann F. Wirth, Jacquin C. Niles, Beatriz Baragana, Amanda K. Lukens
Summary: In this study, we identified and validated the Plasmodium falciparum acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (PfAcAS) as an important, druggable target. Genetic and chemical validation confirmed that mutations in PfAcAS confer resistance to two antiplasmodial compounds and that these compounds directly inhibit the enzyme. We also found that PfAcAS is essential for asexual growth and involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
CELL CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lucas Borges-Pereira, Barbara K. M. Dias, Maneesh Kumar Singh, Celia R. S. Garcia
CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES
(2021)