Article
Microbiology
Franziska Mohring, Donelly A. van Schalkwyk, Ryan C. Henrici, Benjamin Blasco, Didier Leroy, Colin J. Sutherland, Robert W. Moon
Summary: Several unrelated antimalarial compounds targeting PfATP4 have lower efficacy against other malaria parasite species infecting humans. By replacing the ATP4 genes in P. knowlesi with orthologues from different species, researchers found significant differences in susceptibility to ATP4 inhibitors among the parasites. This study highlights the importance of developing antimalarials that can effectively target all human malaria parasite species.
Article
Parasitology
Marco Biddau, T. R. Santha Kumar, Philipp Henrich, Larissa M. Laine, Gavin J. Blackburn, Achuthanunni Chokkathukalam, Tao Li, Kim Lee Sim, Lewis King, Stephen L. Hoffman, Michael P. Barrett, Graham H. Coombs, Geoffrey I. McFadden, David A. Fidock, Sylke Mueller, Lilach Sheiner
Summary: The study highlights the importance of redox regulation in malaria parasites and suggests LipB as a potential target for the development of new transmission drugs. Deletion of lipB in Plasmodium falciparum impacts redox regulators expression, central carbon metabolism, and development in the mosquito, suggesting a role for lipB in these processes. Further research on LA biosynthesis is needed to better understand its role in asexual stages of malaria parasites.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel J. Weiss, Amelia Bertozzi-Villa, Susan F. Rumisha, Punam Amratia, Rohan Arambepola, Katherine E. Battle, Ewan Cameron, Elisabeth Chestnutt, Harry S. Gibson, Joseph Harris, Suzanne Keddie, Justin J. Millar, Jennifer Rozier, Tasmin L. Symons, Camilo Vargas-Ruiz, Simon I. Hay, David L. Smith, Pedro L. Alonso, Abdisalan M. Noor, Samir Bhatt, Peter W. Gething
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of disruptions to malaria control on malaria incidence and mortality in Africa. Findings show that reductions in access to effective antimalarial drug treatment and insecticide-treated net coverage could lead to increased malaria burden, potentially doubling malaria mortality in 2020.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Heather J. Painter, Joanne M. Morrisey, Michael W. Mather, Lindsey M. Orchard, Cuyler Luck, Martin J. Smilkstein, Michael K. Riscoe, Akhil B. Vaidya, Manuel Llinas
Summary: The emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites poses a challenge to global malaria eradication efforts, highlighting the importance of identifying new antimalarial drugs. Studying the molecular mechanism of drug resistance has revealed a novel resistance mechanism that could potentially guide the development of future antimalarial combination therapies.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellie Sherrard-Smith, Peter Winskill, Arran Hamlet, Corine Ngufor, Raphael N'Guessan, Moussa W. Guelbeogo, Antoine Sanou, Rebecca K. Nash, Alexander Hill, Emma L. Russell, Mark Woodbridge, Patrick Tungu, Mara D. Kont, Tom Mclean, Christen Fornadel, Jason H. Richardson, Martin J. Donnelly, Sarah G. Staedke, Samuel Gonahasa, Natascha Protopopoff, Mark Rowland, Thomas S. Churcher
Summary: The study aimed at comparing the public health impact and cost-effectiveness of different malaria prevention measures through the use of mathematical modeling and empirical data, highlighting the importance of selecting vector control interventions based on local conditions and budget.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Daffiny Sumam de Oliveira, Thales Kronenberger, Giuseppe Palmisano, Carsten Wrenger, Edmarcia Elisa de Souza
Summary: Malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites requires post-translational modifications for controlling cellular activities, indicating potential new drug targets and therapeutic directions for malaria treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Christabel N. Hikaambo, Natalia Shakela, John G. Woodland, Kathryn J. Wicht, Kelly Chibale
Summary: Zoonotic and related infections pose a significant health threat to Africa, the world's second-most populous continent. Despite the challenges faced by drug discovery scientists, recent progress in identifying potential medicines across diverse disease areas brings optimism and indicates African-led scientific initiatives are making progress.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kweku S. Enninful, Samuel K. Kwofie, Mark Tetteh-Tsifoanya, Amanda N. L. Lamptey, Georgina Djameh, Samuel Nyarko, Anita Ghansah, Michael D. Wilson
Summary: This study aimed to discover novel antimalarial compounds from natural product libraries using computational methods. Through screening and molecular docking, two potential lead compounds with inhibitory effects against PfTMPK were identified, and one of the compounds is commercially available.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica N. McCaffery, Douglas Nace, Camelia Herman, Balwan Singh, Eric Mukomena Sompwe, Papy Mandoko Nkoli, Dieudonne Mumba Ngoyi, Gauthier Mesia Kahunu, Eric S. Halsey, Eric Rogier
Summary: A study conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo found a low prevalence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in blood samples from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection. Single deletions of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 were sporadically observed in the study sites, while dual deletions were not found. The use of HRP2-based RDTs still appears to be appropriate for these locations in DRC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Adeola Y. Olukosi, Olusola Ajibaye, Omowunmi Omoniwa, Olusola Oresanya, Aina O. Oluwagbemiga, Chinazo Ujuju, Michael Ekholuenetale, Kolawole Maxwell, Colin J. Sutherland, James K. Tibenderana, Khalid B. Beshir
Summary: A rapid surveillance study was conducted in Ebonyi and Osun states in Nigeria to assess the suitability of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) as perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC). The study revealed that both states are suitable for SP-PMC implementation, and it has been implemented in Osun since 2022. Continuous monitoring of the 540E mutation is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of SP chemoprevention in Nigeria.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annie S. P. Yang, Youri M. van Waardenburg, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Geert-Jan A. van Gemert, Wouter Graumans, Johannes H. W. de Wilt, Robert W. Sauerwein
Summary: The development of Plasmodium falciparum in hepatocytes is strongly influenced by the metabolic status of hepatocyte subtypes, with a selective preference for a minority of hepatocytes. Schizont growth is significantly enhanced by the uptake of glutamine synthetase (hGS), showcasing a novel import system. These findings underscore the importance of understanding detailed hepatocyte host-Plasmodium falciparum interactions and may provide new pathways for intervention strategies.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Alyssa E. Barry
Summary: Researchers have developed innovative methods for single-cell sequencing of P. vivax infections, providing new insights into the intrahost diversity and evolution of the parasite.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Prisca Lagardere, Romain Mustiere, Nadia Amanzougaghene, Sebastien Hutter, Marion Casanova, Jean-Francois Franetich, Shahin Tajeri, Aurelie Malzert-Freon, Sophie Corvaisier, Nadine Azas, Patrice Vanelle, Pierre Verhaeghe, Nicolas Primas, Dominique Mazier, Nicolas Masurier, Vincent Lisowski
Summary: The need for new compounds effective against multiple stages of Plasmodium falciparum development is urgent due to the increasing number of strains resistant to current treatments. In this study, 25 new 4-amino-substituted analogues based on Gamhepathiopine were synthesized and evaluated on both erythrocytic and hepatic stages of the parasite. A promising compound, N2-(tert-butyl)-N [4]-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-6-(p-tolyl)thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine, showed improved physicochemical properties, intestinal permeability, and microsomal stability compared to Gamhepathiopine, while maintaining good anti-plasmodial activity on the erythrocytic and hepatic stages of Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Ewan Cameron, Alyssa J. Young, Katherine A. Twohig, Emilie Pothin, Darlene Bhavnani, Amber Dismer, Jean Baptiste Merilien, Karen Hamre, Phoebe Meyer, Arnaud Le Menach, Justin M. Cohen, Samson Marseille, Jean Frantz Lemoine, Marc-Aurele Telfort, Michelle A. Chang, Kimberly Won, Alaine Knipes, Eric Rogier, Punam Amratia, Daniel J. Weiss, Peter W. Gething, Katherine E. Battle
Summary: The National Malaria Control Program of Haiti and its international partner organisations are conducting interventions targeted to high-risk communities prioritised through evidence-based planning towards the goal of malaria elimination on Hispaniola. They have developed an up-to-date, fine-scale endemicity map and seasonality profile to guide the delivery of indoor residual spraying and focal mass drug administration.
Article
Microbiology
Fidelia Ijeoma Uche, Xiaozhen Guo, Jude Okokon, Imran Ullah, Paul Horrocks, Joshua Boateng, Chenggang Huang, Wen-Wu Li
Summary: This study investigates the in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activities of BBIQ alkaloids and their analogues, showing promising results with significant anti-parasitic effects at low concentrations. Cycleanine and its semisynthetic analogues demonstrate improved potency and selectivity, with potential as leads for further drug development.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)