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Jeang B, Zhong D, Lee MC, Atieli H, Yewhalaw D, Yan G. Molecular surveillance of Kelch 13 polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Kenya and Ethiopia. Malar J 2024; 23:36. [PMID: 38287365 PMCID: PMC10823687 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04812-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely molecular surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 (k13) gene mutations is essential for monitoring the emergence and stemming the spread of artemisinin resistance. Widespread artemisinin resistance, as observed in Southeast Asia, would reverse significant gains that have been made against the malaria burden in Africa. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of k13 polymorphisms in western Kenya and Ethiopia at sites representing varying transmission intensities between 2018 and 2022. METHODS Dried blood spot samples collected through ongoing passive surveillance and malaria epidemiological studies, respectively, were investigated. The k13 gene was genotyped in P. falciparum isolates with high parasitaemia: 775 isolates from four sites in western Kenya (Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, and Kombewa) and 319 isolates from five sites across Ethiopia (Arjo, Awash, Gambella, Dire Dawa, and Semera). DNA sequence variation and neutrality were analysed within each study site where mutant alleles were detected. RESULTS Sixteen Kelch13 haplotypes were detected in this study. Prevalence of nonsynonymous k13 mutations was low in both western Kenya (25/783, 3.19%) and Ethiopia (5/319, 1.57%) across the study period. Two WHO-validated mutations were detected: A675V in three isolates from Kenya and R622I in four isolates from Ethiopia. Seventeen samples from Kenya carried synonymous mutations (2.17%). No synonymous mutations were detected in Ethiopia. Genetic variation analyses and tests of neutrality further suggest an excess of low frequency polymorphisms in each study site. Fu and Li's F test statistic in Semera was 0.48 (P > 0.05), suggesting potential population selection of R622I, which appeared at a relatively high frequency (3/22, 13.04%). CONCLUSIONS This study presents an updated report on the low frequency of k13 mutations in western Kenya and Ethiopia. The WHO-validated R622I mutation, which has previously only been reported along the north-west border of Ethiopia, appeared in four isolates collected from eastern Ethiopia. The rapid expansion of R622I across Ethiopia signals the need for enhanced monitoring of the spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum parasites in East Africa. Although ACT remains currently efficacious in the study areas, continued surveillance is necessary to detect early indicators of artemisinin partial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brook Jeang
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ming-Chieh Lee
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Harrysone Atieli
- School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
- International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Tom Mboya University College, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Azmi WA, Rizki AFM, Djuardi Y, Artika IM, Siregar JE. Molecular insights into artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum: An updated review. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:105460. [PMID: 37269964 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Malaria still poses a major burden on human health around the world, especially in endemic areas. Plasmodium resistance to several antimalarial drugs has been one of the major hindrances in control of malaria. Thus, the World Health Organization recommended artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as a front-line treatment for malaria. The emergence of parasites resistant to artemisinin, along with resistant to ACT partner drugs, has led to ACT treatment failure. The artemisinin resistance is mostly related to the mutations in the propeller domain of the kelch13 (k13) gene that encodes protein Kelch13 (K13). The K13 protein has an important role in parasite reaction to oxidative stress. The most widely spread mutation in K13, with the highest degree of resistance, is a C580Y mutation. Other mutations, which are already identified as markers of artemisinin resistance, are R539T, I543T, and Y493H. The objective of this review is to provide current molecular insights into artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. The trending use of artemisinin beyond its antimalarial effect is described. Immediate challenges and future research directions are discussed. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying artemisinin resistance will accelerate implementation of scientific findings to solve problems with malarial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wihda Aisarul Azmi
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia; Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Andita Fitri Mutiara Rizki
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia; Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Yenny Djuardi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - I Made Artika
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Josephine Elizabeth Siregar
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia.
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Cheng W, Wu K, Song X, Wang W, Du W, Li J. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of artemisinin resistance-related pfubp1 and pfap2mu genes in imported Plasmodium falciparum to Wuhan, China. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 101:105286. [PMID: 35470127 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular markers for monitoring resistance could help improve malaria treatment policies. Delayed clearance of Plasmodium falciparum by artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) has been reported in several countries. In addition to PfKelch13 (pfk13), new drug resistance genes, P. falciparum ubiquitin-specific protease 1 (pfubp1) and the eadaptor protein complex 2 mu subunit (pfap2mu), have been identified as being linked to ACTs. This study investigated the prevalence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in clinical P. falciparum isolates pfubp1 and pfap2mu imported from Africa and Southeast Asia (SEA) to Wuhan, China, to provide baseline data for antimalarial resistance monitoring in this region. METHODS Peripheral venous blood samples were collected in Wuhan, China, from August 2011 to December 2019. The Pfubp1 and pfap2mu SNPs of P. falciparum were determined by nested PCR and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS In total, 296 samples were collected. Subsequently, 92.23% (273/296) were successfully amplified and sequenced for Pfubp1. There were 60.07% (164/273) wild-type strains and 39.93% (109/273) mutant strains. The pfap2mu gene was divided into three fragments for amplification, and 82.77% (245/296), 90.20% (267/296) and 94.59% (280/296) were sequenced successfully. Genotypes reportedly associated with ACTs resistance detected in this study included pfubp1 D1525E as well as E1528D and pfap2mu S160N. The mutation prevalence rates were 10.99% (30/273), 13.19% (36/273) and 11.24% (30/267), respectively. These are all focused on Congo, Nigeria and Angola. Known delayed-clearance parasite mutations have also been found in SEA. CONCLUSIONS The existence of mutation sites of known clearance genes detected in the isolates in this study, including D1525E and E1528D in the pfubp1 gene and S160N in the pfap2mu gene, further proved the risk of ACTs resistance. Constant vigilance is therefore needed to protect the effectiveness of ACTs and to prevent the spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum. Further studies in malaria-endemic countries are needed to further validate potential genetic markers for monitoring parasite populations in Africa and SEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Kai Wu
- Department of Schistosomiasis and Endemic Diseases, Wuhan City Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan 430024, China
| | - Xiaonan Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province 214064, People's Republic of China
| | - Weixing Du
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China.
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Kassaza K, Long AC, McDaniels JM, Andre M, Fredrickson W, Nyehangane D, Orikiriza P, Operario DJ, Bazira J, Mwanga-Amumpaire JA, Moore CC, Guler JL, Boum Y. Surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum pfcrt haplotypes in southwestern uganda by high-resolution melt analysis. Malar J 2021; 20:114. [PMID: 33632242 PMCID: PMC7908690 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03657-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chloroquine (CQ) resistance is conferred by mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum CQ resistance transporter (pfcrt). Following CQ withdrawal for anti-malarial treatment, studies across malaria-endemic countries have shown a range of responses. In some areas, CQ sensitive parasites re-emerge, and in others, mutant haplotypes persist. Active surveillance of resistance mutations in clinical parasites is essential to inform treatment regimens; this effort requires fast, reliable, and cost-effective methods that work on a variety of sample types with reagents accessible in malaria-endemic countries. METHODS Quantitative PCR followed by High-Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis was performed in a field setting to assess pfcrt mutations in two groups of clinical samples from Southwestern Uganda. Group 1 samples (119 in total) were collected in 2010 as predominantly Giemsa-stained slides; Group 2 samples (125 in total) were collected in 2015 as blood spots on filter paper. The Rotor-Gene Q instrument was utilized to assess the impact of different PCR-HRM reagent mixes and the detection of mixed haplotypes present in the clinical samples. Finally, the prevalence of the wild type (CVMNK) and resistant pfcrt haplotypes (CVIET and SVMNT) was evaluated in this understudied Southwestern region of Uganda. RESULTS The sample source (i.e. Giemsa-stained slides or blood spots) and type of LCGreen-based reagent mixes did not impact the success of PCR-HRM. The detection limit of 10- 5 ng and the ability to identify mixed haplotypes as low as 10 % was similar to other HRM platforms. The CVIET haplotype predominated in the clinical samples (66 %, 162/244); however, there was a large regional variation between the sample groups (94 % CVIET in Group 1 and 44 % CVIET in Group 2). CONCLUSIONS The HRM-based method exhibits the flexibility required to conduct reliable assessment of resistance alleles from various sample types generated during the clinical management of malaria. Large regional variations in CQ resistance haplotypes across Southwestern Uganda emphasizes the need for continued local parasite genotype assessment to inform anti-malarial treatment policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy Kassaza
- Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre, Mbarara, Uganda
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Anna C Long
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Box 400328, 22904, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jennifer M McDaniels
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Box 400328, 22904, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mharlove Andre
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Box 400328, 22904, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Wasswa Fredrickson
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | | | - Darwin J Operario
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Joel Bazira
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Juliet A Mwanga-Amumpaire
- Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre, Mbarara, Uganda
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Christopher C Moore
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA
| | - Jennifer L Guler
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Box 400328, 22904, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
| | - Yap Boum
- Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre, Mbarara, Uganda.
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
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Bekono BD, Ntie-Kang F, Onguéné PA, Lifongo LL, Sippl W, Fester K, Owono LCO. The potential of anti-malarial compounds derived from African medicinal plants: a review of pharmacological evaluations from 2013 to 2019. Malar J 2020; 19:183. [PMID: 32423415 PMCID: PMC7236213 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03231-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is used for the healthcare of about 80% of the rural populations of the continent of Africa. The practices of ATM make use of plant-products, which are known to contain plant-based secondary metabolites or natural products (NPs), likely to play key roles in drug discovery, particularly as lead compounds. For various reasons, including resistance of strains of Plasmodium to known anti-malarial drugs, local African populations often resort to plant-based treatments and/or a combination of this and standard anti-malarial regimens. Emphasis has been laid in this review to present the anti-malarial virtue of the most recently published phytochemicals or natural products, which have been tested by in vitro and in vivo assays. Methods The data was based on the current version of the African Compound Libraries, which are constantly being updated based on inputs from journal articles and student theses (M.Sc/Ph.D) from African University libraries. Emphasis was laid on data published after 2012. In order to carry out the original data collection, currently being included in the African Compounds Database, individual journal websites were queried using the country names in Africa as search terms. Over 40,000 articles “hits” were originally retrieved, then reduced to about 9000 articles. The retained articles/theses was further queried with the search terms “malaria”, “malarial”, “plasmodium”, “plasmodial” and a combination of them, resulting in over 500 articles. Those including compounds with anti-malarial activities for which the measured activities fell within the established cut off values numbered 55, which were all cited in the review as relevant references. Results and discussion Pure compounds derived from African medicinal plants with demonstrated anti-malarial/antiplasmodial properties with activities ranging from “very active” to “weakly active” have been discussed. The majority of the 187 natural products were terpenoids (30%), followed by flavonoids (22%), alkaloids (19%) and quinones (15%), with each of the other compound classes being less than 5% of the entire compound collection. It was also observed that most of the plant species from which the compounds were identified were of the families Rubiaceae, Meliaceae and Asphodelaceae. The review is intended to continue laying the groundwork for an African-based anti-malarial drug discovery project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris D Bekono
- Department of Physics, Ecole Normale Supérieure, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Fidele Ntie-Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes Str. 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany. .,Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01062 , Dresden, Germany.
| | - Pascal Amoa Onguéné
- Department of Chemistry, University Institute of Wood Technology Mbalmayo, University of Yaoundé I, BP 50, Mbalmayo, Cameroon
| | - Lydia L Lifongo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P. O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes Str. 3, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Karin Fester
- Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763, Zittau, Germany
| | - Luc C O Owono
- Department of Physics, Ecole Normale Supérieure, University of Yaoundé I, P. O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
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