Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonas Yimam, Mehdi Mohebali, Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of a new ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (us-RDT) and a conventional rapid diagnostic test (co-RDT) for detecting malaria. The results showed that us-RDT had higher sensitivity, especially in asymptomatic individuals and low transmission areas.
Article
Immunology
Bina Srivastava, Supriya Sharma, Naseem Ahmed, Preeti Kumari, Renuka Gahtori, Swati Sinha, Sandeep Kumar, M. Sanalkumar, Paras Mahale, Deendayal Swarnkar, Anupkumar Anvikar
Summary: India aims to eliminate malaria by 2030, and reliable diagnosis of malaria is crucial for this. The introduction of rapid diagnostic tests in 2010 has brought about a revolution in malaria surveillance in India. However, the storage, handling, and transportation of these tests can affect their accuracy, hence the need for quality assurance. The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Malaria Research has a WHO-recognized laboratory facility for testing the quality of these tests.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Celestin Danwang, Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou, Sekou Samadoulougou
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed ultrasensitive Plasmodium falciparum malaria RDT with the conventional RDT in the same field conditions. The ultrasensitive RDT showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity compared to the conventional RDT.
Article
Immunology
Abalinda M. Gorret, Rabbison Muhindo, Emma Baguma, Moses Ntaro, Edgar M. Mulogo, Molly Deutsch-Feldman, Jonathan J. Juliano, Dan Nyehangane, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: A study conducted in western Uganda found that malaria rapid diagnostic tests perform similarly in diagnosing children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, whether using capillary or venous blood, with high sensitivity, specificity, and agreement between sample types. Only a few tests would have led to a different clinical diagnosis when following the manufacturer's recommended interpretation.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Colleen M. Leonard, Hussein Mohammed, Mekonnen Tadesse, Jessica N. McCaffery, Doug Nace, Eric S. Halsey, Samuel Girma, Ashenafi Assefa, Jimee Hwang, Eric Rogier
Summary: This study investigated whether mixed infections were missed by microscopy in a therapeutic efficacy study in Ethiopia. The results showed that even with multiple trained readers, microscopy can miss P. falciparum/P. vivax mixed infections.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Lorenz M. Hofer, Prisca A. Kweyamba, Rajabu M. Sayi, Mohamed S. Chabo, Sonali L. Maitra, Sarah J. Moore, Mgeni M. Tambwe
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), light microscopy (LM) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in detecting asymptomatic malaria infections that can transmit to mosquitoes. The results showed that mRDT detected the highest infection rate, while subpatent mRDT infections contributed marginally to the pool of oocyts-infected mosquitoes.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mahmoud A. Boualam, Annick Heitzmann, Florence Mousset, Gerard Aboudharam, Michel Drancourt, Bruno Pradines
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of immunodetection and rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) in assessing Plasmodium infections in ancient northern European populations. The results showed that RDTs are a suitable tool for detecting Plasmodium spp. antigens in ancient dental pulp samples, and demonstrated the existence of malaria in Versailles, France, in the sixth century. The prevalence of Plasmodium vivax, which is responsible for a less severe form of malaria, was the highest, but co-infection with P. falciparum was also observed for the first time in ancient populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shoaib Ashraf, Areeba Khalid, Jerrin Kuriakose, Akilan Palanisami, Yanfang Feng, Tayyaba Hasan
Summary: This study introduces a light-based photochemical approach, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), utilizing ALA-PpIX synthesis for effective destruction of Plasmodium falciparum, paving the way for the REAP strategy. This provides a new treatment avenue for multi-drug resistant severe malaria and other intracellular blood pathogens dependent on heme-synthesis.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Microbiology
Fatema Tuj Johora, Mohammad Golam Kibria, Hans-Peter Fuehrer, Mohammad Shafiul Alam
Summary: The article highlights the importance of Plasmodium malariae, points out the limitations and possible failures of rapid diagnostic tests, and emphasizes the necessity to develop analytically sensitive test kits for P. malariae.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mathieu Gendrot, Marylin Madamet, Isabelle Fonta, Nicolas Benoit, Remy Amalvict, Joel Mosnier, Bruno Pradines
Summary: Malaria is a common tropical disease encountered by French military members in malaria-endemic areas. This study assessed the sensitivity of ten rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in 159 malaria samples. The results showed that some RDTs had low sensitivity for certain types of malaria parasites, but one RDT was considered suitable for military operations in malaria-endemic areas.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Debbie Nolder, Lindsay Stewart, Julie Tucker, Amy Ibrahim, Adam Gray, Tumena Corrah, Carmel Gallagher, Laurence John, Edel O'Brien, Dinesh Aggarwal, Ernest Diez Benavente, Donelly van Schalkwyk, Gisela Henriques, Nuno Sepulveda, Susana Campino, Peter Chiodini, Colin Sutherland, Khalid B. Beshir
Summary: The study systematically investigated false-negative histidine-rich protein 2 rapid diagnostic tests (HRP2-RDT) in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases and found deletions in pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes leading to false negatives. The findings highlight the importance of combining RDT results with microscopy and clinical observations for accurate diagnosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jetsumon Sattabongkot, Liwang Cui, Sirasate Bantuchai, Sadudee Chotirat, Jaranit Kaewkungwal, Amnat Khamsiriwatchara, Kirakorn Kiattibutr, Myat Phone Kyaw, Saranath Lawpoolsri, Nay Yi Yi Linn, Lynette Menezes, Jun Miao, Wang Nguitragool, Daniel Parker, Pathomporn Prikchoo, Wanlapa Roobsoong, Patiwat Sa-angchai, Yudthana Samung, Jeeraphat Sirichaisinthop, Patchara Sriwichai, Kritsana Suk-uam, Suwich Thammapalo, Baomin Wang, Daibin Zhong
Summary: The malaria landscape in the Greater Mekong Subregion has experienced significant changes and challenges. In response to these challenges, the Southeast Asian International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research has established a research network, implemented disease and vector surveillance systems, and developed new diagnostics and antimalarials.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
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.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Louise Marquart, Lachlan Webb, Peter O'Rourke, Michelle L. Gatton, Michelle S. Hsiang, Michael Kalnoky, Ihn Kyung Jang, Henry Ntuku, Davis R. Mumbengegwi, Gonzalo J. Domingo, James S. McCarthy, Sumudu Britton
Summary: A mathematical model was refined to study the dynamics of PfHRP2 during a malaria infection, providing guidance for optimal use of RDTs.
Article
Immunology
Sanjib Mohanty, Praveen K. Sahu, Rajyabardhan Pattnaik, Megharay Majhi, Sameer Maharana, Jabamani Bage, Akshaya Mohanty, Anita Mohanty, Martin Bendszus, Catriona Patterson, Himanshu Gupta, Arjen M. Dondorp, Lukas Pirpamer, Angelika Hoffmann, Samuel C. Wassmer
Summary: Brain involvement is common in adults with severe noncerebral malaria and uncomplicated malaria, despite the absence of coma. Acute kidney injury is associated with cytotoxic brain changes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Daniel J. Cooper, Matthew J. Grigg, Katherine Plewes, Giri S. Rajahram, Kim A. Piera, Timothy William, Jayaram Menon, Glenn Koleth, Michael D. Edstein, Geoffrey W. Birrell, Thanaporn Wattanakul, Joel Tarning, Aatish Patel, Tsin Wen Yeo, Arjen M. Dondorp, Nicholas M. Anstey, Bridget E. Barber
Summary: Regular dosing of acetaminophen did not improve renal function in all patients with knowlesi malaria. However, in specific subgroups of severe malaria and acute kidney injury with hemolysis, acetaminophen showed potential as a safe renoprotective adjunct.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nils Kaehler, Bipin Adhikari, Phaik Yeong Cheah, Lorenz von Seidlein, Nicholas P. J. Day, Arjen M. Dondorp, Christopher Pell
Summary: Researchers and policymakers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) consider community engagement crucial for malaria research and interventions. Building trust, participatory approaches, and effective communication strategies are key for successful engagement, while geographic remoteness and social-cultural barriers pose challenges.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
James A. Watson, Nicholas J. White, Arjen M. Dondorp
Summary: Balancing selection maintains equilibrium allele frequencies of hemoglobin S between 15% and 20% in areas of high Plasmodium falciparum transmission, driven by the malaria-protective effect of sickle-cell trait. Based on this, malaria-attributable childhood mortality in the pretreatment era is estimated to be between 15% and 24%.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Lei Zhu, Rob W. van der Pluijm, Michal Kucharski, Sourav Nayak, Jaishree Tripathi, Nicholas J. White, Nicholas P. J. Day, Abul Faiz, Aung Pyae Phyo, Chanaki Amaratunga, Dysoley Lek, Elizabeth A. Ashley, Francois Nosten, Frank Smithuis, Hagai Ginsburg, Lorenz von Seidlein, Khin Lin, Mallika Imwong, Kesinee Chotivanich, Mayfong Mayxay, Mehul Dhorda, Hoang Chau Nguyen, Thuy Nhien Thanh Nguyen, Olivo Miotto, Paul N. Newton, Podjanee Jittamala, Rupam Tripura, Sasithon Pukrittayakamee, Thomas J. Peto, Tran Tinh Hien, Arjen M. Dondorp, Zbynek Bozdech
Summary: This study identified a specific transcriptional profile associated with artemisinin resistance and revealed the complex genetic basis for this adaptive response through transcriptomic analysis.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Julia C. Cutts, Katherine O'Flaherty, Sophie G. Zaloumis, Elizabeth A. Ashley, Jo Anne Chan, Marie A. Onyamboko, Caterina Fanello, Arjen M. Dondorp, Nicholas P. Day, Aung Pyae Phyo, Mehul Dhorda, Mallika Imwong, Rick M. Fairhurst, Pharath Lim, Chanaki Amaratunga, Sasithon Pukrittayakamee, Tran Tinh Hien, Ye Htut, Mayfong Mayxay, M. Abdul Faiz, Eizo Takashima, Takafumi Tsuboi, James G. Beeson, Francois Nosten, Julie A. Simpson, Nicholas J. White, Freya J. Fowkes
Summary: The substantially shorter parasite clearance time observed in African patients compared to Asian patients after artemisinin treatment cannot be explained by differences in P. falciparum antibody responses.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
James A. Watson, Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Johnstone Makale, Gideon M. Nyutu, Neema Mturi, Elizabeth C. George, Charles J. Woodrow, Nicholas P. J. Day, Philip Bejon, Robert O. Opoka, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chandy C. John, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams, Nicholas J. White
Summary: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is difficult to accurately diagnose in children in high-transmission settings. A combination of platelet count and plasma PfHRP2 concentration can be used to identify severe falciparum malaria in severely ill patients. About one-third of children enrolled in clinical studies of severe malaria in high-transmission settings in Africa had other causes of their severe illness.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Uyoga, J. A. Watson, P. Wanjiku, J. C. Rop, J. Makale, A. W. Macharia, S. N. Kariuki, G. M. Nyutu, M. Shebe, M. Mosobo, N. Mturi, K. A. Rockett, C. J. Woodrow, A. M. Dondorp, K. Maitland, N. J. White, T. N. Williams
Summary: The study found that polymorphisms in four major red cell genes are associated with lower plasma PfHRP2 concentrations, which may help protect the body from parasitized erythrocyte sequestration. On the other hand, a known ATP2B4 polymorphism is associated with higher plasma PfHRP2 concentrations, lower parasite densities, and a higher sequestration index.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Emmanuel Mbuba, Olukayode G. Odufuwa, Jason Moore, Selemani Mmbaga, Emile Tchicaya, Constant Edi, Vani Chalageri, Sreehari Uragayala, Amit Sharma, Manju Rahi, Kamaraju Raghavendra, Alex Eapen, Hannah Koenker, Amanda Ross, Sarah J. Moore
Summary: This study aims to measure the durability of pyrethroid-PBO ITNs and assess whether they meet the World Health Organization's three-year operational performance criteria to be classified as long-lasting. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted simultaneously in Tanzania, India, and Cote d'Ivoire to compare the durability of three pyrethroid-PBO ITNs with a pyrethroid LLIN. The study will provide information on the replenishment intervals for PBO nets.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julie R. Gutman, Julia Nanteza Mwesigwa, Kyra Arnett, Chabu Kangale, Sijenunu Aaron, Dele Babarinde, Julie Buekens, Baltazar Candrinho, Siaka Debe, Peder Digre, Mary Drake, Adama Gansane, Christelle Gogue, Kevin S. Griffith, Joseph Hicks, Rene Kinda, Hannah Koenker, Ruth Lemwayi, Anna Munsey, Emmanuel Obi, Aurore Ogouyemi-Hounto, Okefu Oyale Okoko, Faustin Onikpo, Ali Onoja, Travis Porter, Binete Savaio, Kenzie Tynuv, Perpetua Uhomoibhi, Joseph Wagman, Katherine Wolf, Rose Zulliger, Patrick Walker, John M. Miller, Molly Robertson
Summary: This study aims to assess the feasibility of malaria testing during the first antenatal care visit in monitoring trends in malaria. By conducting research in antenatal care facilities in several countries, pregnant women will be tested for malaria infection and their intervention coverage and care-seeking behavior will be assessed. The study will evaluate the correlation between this method and household survey methods, as well as the effectiveness of using it as a tool to track malaria burden and intervention coverage trends.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charles Whittaker, Arran Hamlet, Ellie Sherrard-Smith, Peter Winskill, Gina Cuomo-Dannenburg, Patrick G. T. Walker, Marianne Sinka, Samuel Pironon, Ashwani Kumar, Azra Ghani, Samir Bhatt, Thomas S. Churcher
Summary: The invasion of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the Horn of Africa poses a threat to malaria control efforts across the continent. This study finds that the seasonal dynamics of An. stephensi are not well predicted by rainfall patterns, but are associated with temperature and land use. Timing entomological surveys to coincide with rainy periods is unlikely to improve the detection of An. stephensi, and indoor residual spraying campaigns during peak rainfall offer little improvement in reducing disease burden.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacques D. Charlwood, Thomas A. Smith, Ayubo Kampango, Erzelia V. E. Tomas, Nakul Chitnis
Summary: This study estimated the survival rate and oviposition cycle duration of malaria vectors using a time-series analysis approach. The findings suggest that female mosquitoes have lower survival rates compared to males, and that male survival is not influenced by temperature or the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets. However, there is considerable uncertainty in the estimates of oviposition cycle duration.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John Harvey, Bryan Chan, Tarun Srivastava, Alexander E. Zarebski, Pawel Dlotko, Piotr Blaszczyk, Rachel H. Parkinson, Lisa J. White, Ricardo Aguas, Adam Mahdi
Summary: Discussing the waves of the COVID-19 epidemic in different countries is a common topic, but there is no clear method to define these waves in the available data and their relation to mathematical epidemiology is weak. This study presents an algorithm that can identify significant and sustained periods of increase in time series data, which can be described as "observed waves". The algorithm is applied to COVID-19 data and the results correspond to visual intuition and expert opinion. The study also analyzes the differences in consecutive observed waves among countries and the impact of government interventions on waves.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Brian Foy, Anthony Some, Tereza Magalhaes, Lyndsey Gray, Sangeeta Rao, Emmanuel Sougue, Conner L. Jackson, John Kittelson, Hannah C. Slater, Teun Bousema, Ollo Da, A. Gafar Coulidiaty, McKenzie Colt, Martina Wade, Kacey Richards, Fabrice Some, Roch K. Dabire, Sunil Parikh
Summary: This study aims to assess the impact of repeated ivermectin mass drug administration on malaria incidence. It is a double-blind, randomized trial that will provide evidence for malaria control.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hayley A. Thompson, Alexandra B. Hogan, Patrick G. T. Walker, Peter Winskill, Issaka Zongo, Issaka Sagara, Halidou Tinto, Jean-Bosco Ouedraogo, Alassane Dicko, Daniel Chandramohan, Brian Greenwood, Matt Cairns, Azra C. Ghani
Summary: This study used a mathematical model to predict the effectiveness of RTS,S vaccination in seasonal transmission settings. The findings suggest that seasonally targeted RTS,S vaccination can be more effective in reducing malaria cases and deaths compared to an age-based approach, especially in settings with longer transmission seasons.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)