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Umumararungu T, Nkuranga JB, Habarurema G, Nyandwi JB, Mukazayire MJ, Mukiza J, Muganga R, Hahirwa I, Mpenda M, Katembezi AN, Olawode EO, Kayitare E, Kayumba PC. Recent developments in antimalarial drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 88-89:117339. [PMID: 37236020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although malaria remains a big burden to many countries that it threatens their socio-economic stability, particularly in the countries where malaria is endemic, there have been great efforts to eradicate this disease with both successes and failures. For example, there has been a great improvement in malaria prevention and treatment methods with a net reduction in infection and mortality rates. However, the disease remains a global threat in terms of the number of people affected because it is one of the infectious diseases that has the highest prevalence rate, especially in Africa where the deadly Plasmodium falciparum is still widely spread. Methods to fight malaria are being diversified, including the use of mosquito nets, the target candidate profiles (TCPs) and target product profiles (TPPs) of medicine for malarial venture (MMV) strategy, the search for newer and potent drugs that could reverse chloroquine resistance, and the use of adjuvants such as rosiglitazone and sevuparin. Although these adjuvants have no antiplasmodial activity, they can help to alleviate the effects which result from plasmodium invasion such as cytoadherence. The list of new antimalarial drugs under development is long, including the out of ordinary new drugs MMV048, CDRI-97/78 and INE963 from South Africa, India and Novartis, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théoneste Umumararungu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
| | - Jean Bosco Nkuranga
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Gratien Habarurema
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Marie Jeanne Mukazayire
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Janvier Mukiza
- Department of Mathematical Science and Physical Education, School of Education, College of Education, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Raymond Muganga
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Innocent Hahirwa
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Matabishi Mpenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Alain Nyirimigabo Katembezi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, Nyarutarama Plaza, KG 9 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Emmanuel Oladayo Olawode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, 18301 N Miami Ave #1, Miami, FL 33169, USA
| | - Egide Kayitare
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Pierre Claver Kayumba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
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Webster R, Mitchell H, Peters JM, Heunis J, O'Neill B, Gower J, Lynch S, Jennings H, Amante FH, Llewellyn S, Marquart L, Potter AJ, Birrell GW, Edstein MD, Shanks GD, McCarthy JS, Barber BE. Transmission Blocking Activity of Low-dose Tafenoquine in Healthy Volunteers Experimentally Infected With Plasmodium falciparum. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:506-512. [PMID: 35731843 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blocking the transmission of parasites from humans to mosquitoes is a key component of malaria control. Tafenoquine exhibits activity against all stages of the malaria parasite and may have utility as a transmission blocking agent. We aimed to characterize the transmission blocking activity of low-dose tafenoquine. METHODS Healthy adults were inoculated with Plasmodium falciparum 3D7-infected erythrocytes on day 0. Piperaquine was administered on days 9 and 11 to clear asexual parasitemia while allowing gametocyte development. A single 50-mg oral dose of tafenoquine was administered on day 25. Transmission was determined by enriched membrane feeding assays predose and at 1, 4, and 7 days postdose. Artemether-lumefantrine was administered following the final assay. Outcomes were the reduction in mosquito infection and gametocytemia after tafenoquine and safety parameters. RESULTS Six participants were enrolled, and all were infective to mosquitoes before tafenoquine, with a median 86% (range, 22-98) of mosquitoes positive for oocysts and 57% (range, 4-92) positive for sporozoites. By day 4 after tafenoquine, the oocyst and sporozoite positivity rate had reduced by a median 35% (interquartile range [IQR]: 16-46) and 52% (IQR: 40-62), respectively, and by day 7, 81% (IQR 36-92) and 77% (IQR 52-98), respectively. The decline in gametocyte density after tafenoquine was not significant. No significant participant safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose tafenoquine (50 mg) reduces P. falciparum transmission to mosquitoes, with a delay in effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Webster
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hayley Mitchell
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jenny M Peters
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Juanita Heunis
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brighid O'Neill
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jeremy Gower
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sean Lynch
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Helen Jennings
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Fiona H Amante
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | - Adam J Potter
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Geoffrey W Birrell
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michael D Edstein
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - G Dennis Shanks
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - James S McCarthy
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.,The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
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Stone W, Mahamar A, Smit MJ, Sanogo K, Sinaba Y, Niambele SM, Sacko A, Keita S, Dicko OM, Diallo M, Maguiraga SO, Samake S, Attaher O, Lanke K, Ter Heine R, Bradley J, McCall MBB, Issiaka D, Traore SF, Bousema T, Drakeley C, Dicko A. Single low-dose tafenoquine combined with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Ouelessebougou, Mali: a phase 2, single-blind, randomised clinical trial. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2022; 3:e336-e347. [PMID: 35544095 PMCID: PMC9042793 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00356-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tafenoquine was recently approved as a prophylaxis and radical cure for Plasmodium vivax infection, but its Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking efficacy is unclear. We aimed to establish the efficacy and safety of three single low doses of tafenoquine in combination with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for reducing gametocyte density and transmission to mosquitoes. METHODS In this four-arm, single-blind, phase 2, randomised controlled trial, participants were recruited at the Clinical Research Unit of the Malaria Research and Training Centre of the University of Bamako in Mali. Eligible participants were aged 12-50 years, with asymptomatic P falciparum microscopy-detected gametocyte carriage, had a bodyweight of 80 kg or less, and had no clinical signs of malaria defined by fever. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to standard treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus a single dose of tafenoquine (in solution) at a final dosage of 0·42 mg/kg, 0·83 mg/kg, or 1·66 mg/kg. Randomisation was done with a computer-generated randomisation list and concealed with sealed, opaque envelopes. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine was administered as oral tablets over 3 days (day 0, 1, and 2), as per manufacturer instructions. A single dose of tafenoquine was administered as oral solution on day 0 in parallel with the first dose of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. Tafenoquine dosing was based on bodyweight to standardise efficacy and risk variance. The primary endpoint, assessed in the per-protocol population, was median percentage change in mosquito infection rate 7 days after treatment compared with baseline. Safety endpoints included frequency and incidence of adverse events. The final follow-up visit was on Dec 23, 2021; the trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04609098. FINDINGS From Oct 29 to Nov 25, 2020, 1091 individuals were screened for eligibility, 80 of whom were enrolled and randomly assigned (20 per treatment group). Before treatment, 53 (66%) individuals were infectious to mosquitoes, infecting median 12·50% of mosquitoes (IQR 3·64-35·00). Within-group reduction in mosquito infection rate on day 7 was 79·95% (IQR 57·15-100; p=0·0005 for difference from baseline) following dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine only, 100% (98·36-100; p=0·0005) following dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus tafenoquine 0·42 mg/kg, 100% (100-100; p=0·0001) following dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus tafenoquine 0·83 mg/kg, and 100% (100-100; p=0·0001) following dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus tafenoquine 1·66 mg/kg. 55 (69%) of 80 participants had a total of 94 adverse events over the course of the trial; 86 (92%) adverse events were categorised as mild, seven (7%) as moderate, and one (1%) as severe. The most common treatment-related adverse event was mild or moderate headache, which occurred in 15 (19%) participants (dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine n=2; dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus tafenoquine 0·42 mg/kg n=6; dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus tafenoquine 0·83 mg/kg n=3; and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus tafenoquine 1·66 mg/kg n=4). No serious adverse events occurred. No significant differences in the incidence of all adverse events (p=0·73) or treatment-related adverse events (p=0·62) were observed between treatment groups. INTERPRETATION Tafenoquine was well tolerated at all doses and accelerated P falciparum gametocyte clearance. All tafenoquine doses showed improved transmission reduction at day 7 compared with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine alone. These data support the case for further research on tafenoquine as a transmission-blocking supplement to standard antimalarials. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. TRANSLATIONS For the French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Will Stone
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Almahamoudou Mahamar
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Merel J Smit
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Koualy Sanogo
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Youssouf Sinaba
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sidi M Niambele
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Adama Sacko
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sekouba Keita
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Oumar M Dicko
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Makonon Diallo
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Seydina O Maguiraga
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Siaka Samake
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Oumar Attaher
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Kjerstin Lanke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rob Ter Heine
- Department of Pharmacy and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - John Bradley
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthew B B McCall
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Djibrilla Issiaka
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sekou F Traore
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alassane Dicko
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
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Xuan MNT, Kaewlamun W, Saiwichai T, Thanee S, Poofery J, Tiawsirisup S, Channumsin M, Kaewthamasorn M. Development and application of a novel multiplex PCR assay for the differentiation of four haemosporidian parasites in the chicken Gallus gallus domesticus. Vet Parasitol 2021; 293:109431. [PMID: 33906095 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Haemosporidian infections in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are not only widely prevalent but also cause economic loss. Diagnosis is usually made by microscopic examination; however, the method has several drawbacks such as requiring an experienced microscopist, being unreliable when parasitemia is low and being unable to accurately differentiate between co-infections from multiple parasite species. Therefore, the current extent of haemosporidian infections might be underestimated and neglected. We have developed a novel multiplex PCR assay to simultaneously detect and differentiate between four haemosporidian parasites: Leucocytozoon caulleryi, Leucocytozoon sabrazesi, Plasmodium juxtanucleare and Plasmodium gallinaceum. Primers in the present study specifically amplified the corresponding targets with no cross-species amplification detected. The multiplex PCR exhibited a significantly greater detection rate when compared with microscopic examination (p = 0.0001). The results demonstrate that the detection rate of multiplex PCR for L. sabrazesi, P. juxtanucleare, and P. gallinaceum are all greater than that of microscopic examination with p = 0.002, 0.0001 and 0.004, respectively. Co-infections were also detected more effectively by multiplex PCR. We applied the current method to field samples originating from Nan, Prachinburi, and Chachoengsao Provinces. The current study revealed that positive rates of haemosporidian parasites in chickens in the three study sites ranging from 39.5%-93.8%. The present assay offers a timesaving option for molecular diagnosis instead of using singleplex PCRs for detecting the parasites individually. Within a single reaction, this assay would be a useful tool for the detection of avian haemosporidian parasites either single or under co-infection conditions and for large-scale epidemiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Nguyen Thi Xuan
- The International Graduate Course of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Winai Kaewlamun
- School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Tawee Saiwichai
- Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Suchansa Thanee
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Juthathip Poofery
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Sonthaya Tiawsirisup
- Animal Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit, The Veterinary Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Manun Channumsin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok, Bangpra, Sriracha District, Chonburi, 20110, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Luo J, Zhang Y, He H, Liu Q, Huang S, Guo X. Artesunate enhances the immune response of rabies vaccine as an adjuvant. Vaccine 2019; 37:7478-7481. [PMID: 31582270 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.09.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rabies is an ancient zoonosis that continues to be an important health problem worldwide. Vaccination with rabies vaccine is the most important strategy to prevent rabies. Adjuvants contribute to the immune response of viral vaccine. The aim of this study was to investigate whether artemisinin derivatives artesunate and dihydroartemisinin could enhance the immunogenicity of inactivated rabies virus in mice. Administration of artesunate or dihydroartemisinin by intramuscular injection at a dose of 5 mg/kg did not cause body weight loss and unusual symptoms in mice. Mice were immunized with inactivated CVS-11 or inactivated rHEP-dG together with either artesunate or dihydroartemisinin through intramuscular injection. Blood samples were collected to investigate the virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titers, and challenge assays were then conducted. The results showed that the rabies VNA titers in mice co-treated with artesunate rather than dihydroartemisinin were significantly higher than in the control animals treated with the phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In addition, mice co-treated with artesunate survived from lethal rabies virus challenge compared with those treated with PBS. In contrast, co-treatment with dihydroartemisinin did not improve the survival rate of the challenged mice. The findings indicate that artesunate could be used as a new candidate adjuvant for rabies vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hongling He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shile Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA; Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA.
| | - Xiaofeng Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Li B, Liu X, Wang WJ, Zhao F, An ZY, Zhao H. Metanetwork Transmission Model for Predicting a Malaria-Control Strategy. Front Genet 2018; 9:446. [PMID: 30386373 PMCID: PMC6199348 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mosquitoes are the primary vectors responsible for malaria transmission to humans, with numerous experiments having been conducted to aid in the control of malaria transmission. One of the main approaches aims to develop malaria parasite resistance within the mosquito population by introducing a resistance (R) allele. However, when considering this approach, some critical factors, such as the life of the mosquito, female mosquito fertility capacity, and human and mosquito mobility, have not been considered. Thus, an understanding of how mosquitoes and humans affect disease dynamics is needed to better inform malaria control policymaking. Methods: In this study, a method was proposed to create a metanetwork on the basis of the geographic maps of Gambia, and a model was constructed to simulate evolution within a mixed population, with factors such as birth, death, reproduction, biting, infection, incubation, recovery, and transmission between populations considered in the network metrics. First, the same number of refractory mosquitoes (RR genotype) was introduced into each population, and the prevalence of the R allele (the ratio of resistant alleles to all alleles) and malaria were examined. In addition, a series of simulations were performed to evaluate two different deployment strategies for the reduction of the prevalence of malaria. The R allele and malaria prevalence were calculated for both the strategies, with 10,000 refractory mosquitoes deployed into randomly selected populations or selection based on nodes with top-betweenness values. The 10,000 mosquitoes were deployed among 1, 5, 10, 20, or 40 populations. Results: The simulations in this paper showed that a higher RR genotype (resistant-resistant genes) ratio leads to a higher R allele prevalence and lowers malaria prevalence. Considering the cost of deployment, the simulation was performed with 10,000 refractory mosquitoes deployed among 1 or 5 populations, but this approach did not reduce the original malaria prevalence. Thus, instead, the 10,000 refractory mosquitoes were distributed among 10, 20, or 40 populations and were shown to effectively reduce the original malaria prevalence. Thus, deployment among a relatively small fraction of central nodes can offer an effective strategy to reduce malaria. Conclusion: The standard network centrality measure is suitable for planning the deployment of refractory mosquitoes. Importance: Malaria is an infectious disease that is caused by a plasmodial parasite, and some control strategies have focused on genetically modifying the mosquitoes. This work aims to create a model that takes into account mosquito development and malaria transmission among the population and how these factors influence disease dynamics so as to better inform malaria-control policymaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Shandong Technology and Business University, School of Computer Science and Technology, Yantai, China
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Future Intelligent Computing, Yantai, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Northeastern University, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Shenyang, China
| | - Wen-Juan Wang
- Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Reproduction Medical Center, Yantai, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Shandong Technology and Business University, School of Computer Science and Technology, Yantai, China
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Future Intelligent Computing, Yantai, China
| | - Zhi-Yong An
- Shandong Technology and Business University, School of Computer Science and Technology, Yantai, China
- Shandong Co-Innovation Center of Future Intelligent Computing, Yantai, China
| | - Hai Zhao
- Northeastern University, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Shenyang, China
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