Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Theresa Reiker, Monica Golumbeanu, Andrew Shattock, Lydia Burgert, Thomas A. Smith, Sarah Filippi, Ewan Cameron, Melissa A. Penny
Summary: Individual-based models are essential in the global fight against infectious diseases, but the complexity of the models can pose challenges for calibration. The authors propose using a Bayesian optimization framework to calibrate a complex malaria transmission simulator, resulting in improved fitting outcomes compared to previous calibrations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca L. Clements, Alexander A. Morano, Francesca M. Navarro, James P. McGee, Esrah W. Du, Vincent A. Streva, Scott E. Lindner, Jeffrey D. Dvorin
Summary: This study identifies a basal complex protein, PfBLEB, as a key player in gametocytogenesis. Parasites lacking PfBLEB are unable to form mature gametocytes, highlighting the importance of PfBLEB. The study also provides a potential molecular target for the eradication of malaria transmission.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Benyl M. Ondeto, Xiaoming Wang, Harrysone Atieli, Daibin Zhong, Guofa Zhou, Ming-Chieh Lee, Pauline Winnie Orondo, Kevin O. Ochwedo, Collince J. Omondi, Simon M. Muriu, David O. Odongo, Horace Ochanda, James Kazura, Andrew K. Githeko, Guiyun Yan
Summary: Despite initial reductions in asymptomatic malaria parasite prevalence among school children from 2005 to 2008 in all sites, a resurgence of parasite prevalence by over 40% has been observed in Kombewa and Marani since 2011. The study also found that Kombewa had a higher risk of infection compared to Iguhu and Marani.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Giulia Siciliano, Veronica Di Paolo, Dante Rotili, Rossella Migale, Francesca Pedini, Marialuisa Casella, Serena Camerini, Daniele Dalzoppo, Rob Henderson, Tonnie Huijs, Koen J. Dechering, Antonello Mai, Anna Maria Caccuri, Marco Lalle, Luigi Quintieri, Pietro Alano
Summary: This work investigates the activity of NBDHEX and its carboxylic acid metabolite on the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. NBDHEX shows strong activity against all blood stages of the parasite, with a higher potency against the gametocytes. Covalent modifications of gametocyte proteins are found to be associated with the antiparasitic effect of NBDHEX. Both NBDHEX and its metabolite have limited cytotoxicity in vitro, making them potential starting points for the development of new drugs to block malaria transmission.
Article
Immunology
Kailash P. Patra, Hargobinder Kaur, Surendra Kumar Kolli, Jacob M. Wozniak, Judith Helena Prieto, John R. Yates, David J. Gonzalez, Chris J. Janse, Joseph M. Vinetz
Summary: Research indicates that avian-infecting malaria parasites have two chitinases, with PgCHT2 forming a high molecular weight complex with WARP. Size exclusion chromatography shows that PgCHT2 and PfCHT1 are covalently-linked components of a HMW chitinase-containing complex.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Preeti Kushwaha, Vipin Kumar, Biswajit Saha
Summary: beta-Carboline alkaloids are important nitrogen-based natural alkaloids and therapeutic molecules that exhibit various pharmacological activities through diverse mechanisms. There has been increasing attention towards developing effective antimalarial drugs based on this compound. This article comprehensively reviews the clinical and preclinical antimalarial scaffolds containing beta-carboline structure. The study focuses on the natural and semi-synthetic analogues of beta-carbolines reported in the last decade (2011-2021), providing insights into their mechanisms of action and potential for future therapeutic development.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Danielle Stanisic, Mei-Fong Ho, Reshma Nevagi, Emily Cooper, Maddison Walton, Md Tanjir Islam, Waleed M. Hussein, Mariusz Skwarczynski, Istvan Toth, Michael F. Good
Summary: Malaria vaccine research has shifted towards whole-parasite vaccines, which present a broad repertoire of antigens to the immune system to limit antigenic polymorphism. This study developed an enhanced liposomal vaccine that induced protective immune responses in mice and strong cellular immune responses, making significant progress towards evaluating the vaccine in clinical trials.
Article
Parasitology
Xitong Jia, Fei Liu, Jie Bai, Yongzhe Zhang, Liwang Cui, Yaming Cao, Enjie Luo
Summary: This study assessed the activity of a panel of phosphatase inhibitors against the sexual development of Plasmodium berghei and found that two compounds showed significant transmission-blocking activity. This suggests that phosphatases are valid targets for the development of antimalarial drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Noorazian Md Yusuf, Jannah Zulkefli, Adela Ida Jiram, Indra Vythilingam, Shamilah Hisam, Renuka Devi, Afiqah Salehhuddin, Nurulshuhada Md Ali, Maccallyster Isa, Norwahida Alias, Nurhainis Ogu Salim, Adli Abd Aziz, Lokman Hakim Sulaiman
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of simian Plasmodium infections among long-tailed macaques in Malaysia. The results showed that P. cynomolgi infection was the most prevalent, and the infection rates of P. cynomolgi and P. knowlesi were highest in areas with close human-macaque contact. The risk of zoonotic infection in these areas needs to be addressed and preventive measures should be taken.
Review
Immunology
Manoswini Dash, Sherry Sachdeva, Abhisheka Bansal, Abhinav Sinha
Summary: This article focuses on gametogenesis as a key aspect of transmission control in malaria. It provides an in-depth understanding of the biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved in gametogenesis, and highlights the remaining gaps in knowledge in this field.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oliver J. Watson, Bo Gao, Tran Dang Nguyen, Thu Nguyen-Anh Tran, Melissa A. Penny, David L. Smith, Lucy Okell, Ricardo Aguas, Maciej F. Boni
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of high levels of partner-drug resistance on the early emergence of artemisinin-resistant genotypes, finding that higher frequencies of pre-existing partner-drug resistance genotypes lead to earlier establishment of artemisinin resistance. It highlights the importance of continued investment in molecular surveillance of partner-drug resistant genotypes to guide the choice of first-line ACTs.
Article
Biology
Abdirahman Abdi, Fiona Achcar, Lauriane Sollelis, Joao Luiz Silva-Filho, Kioko Mwikali, Michelle Muthui, Shaban Mwangi, Hannah W. Kimingi, Benedict Orindi, Cheryl Andisi Kivisi, Manon Alkema, Amrita Chandrasekar, Peter C. Bull, Philip Bejon, Katarzyna Modrzynska, Teun Bousema, Matthias Marti
Summary: The malaria parasite life cycle involves asexual replication in human blood and differentiation into gametocytes for transmission to mosquitoes. Host factors influence the commitment to differentiate into gametocytes, but the exact mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed data from 828 children in Kenya over 18 years to understand the relationship between host immunity, parasite growth, and transmission investment. We found that reduced plasma lysophosphatidylcholine levels, which are associated with inflammatory responses, are correlated with increased transmission investment and reduced asexual replication.
Article
Microbiology
Kelly T. Rios, Taylor M. Dickson, Scott E. Lindner
Summary: In this study, we have identified a significant problem in the conduct of many studies on the sexual stages of rodent malaria parasites. The routine method of isolating gametocytes in rodent-infectious malaria models through drug treatment with sulfadiazine not only kills asexual blood-stage parasites but also has a substantial impact on host-to-vector transmission.
Review
Parasitology
Joseph Hawadak, Rodrigue Roman Dongang Nana, Vineeta Singh
Summary: The prevalence of P. malariae and P. ovale spp. has been decreasing in the past 20 years, with the highest prevalence in the African Region. P. malariae is equally distributed among adults, children, and pregnant women, while P. ovale spp. is more prevalent in pregnant women.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(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.
