1
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Gupta H, Sharma S, Gilyazova I, Satyamoorthy K. Molecular tools are crucial for malaria elimination. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:555. [PMID: 38642192 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09496-4] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
The eradication of Plasmodium parasites, responsible for malaria, is a daunting global public health task. It requires a comprehensive approach that addresses symptomatic, asymptomatic, and submicroscopic cases. Overcoming this challenge relies on harnessing the power of molecular diagnostic tools, as traditional methods like microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests fall short in detecting low parasitaemia, contributing to the persistence of malaria transmission. By precisely identifying patients of all types and effectively characterizing malaria parasites, molecular tools may emerge as indispensable allies in the pursuit of malaria elimination. Furthermore, molecular tools can also provide valuable insights into parasite diversity, drug resistance patterns, and transmission dynamics, aiding in the implementation of targeted interventions and surveillance strategies. In this review, we explore the significance of molecular tools in the pursuit of malaria elimination, shedding light on their key contributions and potential impact on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Applied Sciences & Humanities, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Sonal Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Applied Sciences & Humanities, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Irina Gilyazova
- Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Ufa, 450054, Russia
- Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, 450008, Russia
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) University, Manjushree Nagar, Sattur, Dharwad, 580009, Karnataka, India
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2
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Kojom Foko LP, Hawadak J, Kouemo Motse FD, Eboumbou Moukoko CE, Kamgain Mawabo L, Pande V, Singh V. Non-falciparum species and submicroscopic infections in three epidemiological malaria facets in Cameroon. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:900. [PMID: 36460990 PMCID: PMC9718470 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07901-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are growing reports on the prevalence of non-falciparum species and submicroscopic infections in sub-Saharan African countries but little information is available from Cameroon. METHODS A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in four towns (Douala, Maroua, Mayo-Oulo, and Pette) from three malaria epidemiological strata (Forest, Sahelian, and Soudanian) of Cameroon. Malaria parasites were detected by Giemsa light microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Non-falciparum isolates were characterized and their 18S gene sequences were BLASTed for confirmatory diagnosis. RESULTS PCR assay detected malaria parasites in 82.4% (98/119) patients, among them 12.2% (12/98) were asymptomatic cases. Three Plasmodium species viz. P. falciparum, P. ovale curtisi and P. vivax, and two co-infection types (P. falciparum + P. vivax and P. falciparum + P. ovale curtisi) were found. The remaining infections were mono-infections with either P. falciparum or P. ovale curtisi. All non-falciparum infections were symptomatic and microscopic. The overall proportion of submicroscopic infections was 11.8% (14/119). Most asymptomatic and submicroscopic infection cases were self-medicated with antimalarial drugs and/or medicinal plants. On analysis, P. ovale curtisi sequences were found to be phylogenetically closer to sequences from India while P. vivax isolates appeared closer to those from Nigeria, India, and Cameroon. No G6PD-d case was found among non-falciparum infections. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms our previous work on circulation of P. vivax and P. ovale curtisi and the absence of P. knowlesi in Cameroon. More studies are needed to address non-falciparum malaria along with submicroscopic infections for effective malaria management and control in Cameroon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loick Pradel Kojom Foko
- grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, New-Delhi 110077 India ,grid.411155.50000 0001 1533 858XDepartment of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand 263001 India
| | - Joseph Hawadak
- grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, New-Delhi 110077 India ,grid.411155.50000 0001 1533 858XDepartment of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand 263001 India
| | - Francine Dorgelesse Kouemo Motse
- grid.29273.3d0000 0001 2288 3199Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Carole Else Eboumbou Moukoko
- grid.413096.90000 0001 2107 607XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, 24157 Douala, Cameroon ,Malaria Research Unit, Centre Pasteur Cameroon, 1274 Yaoundé, Cameroon ,grid.413096.90000 0001 2107 607XLaboratory of Parasitology, Mycology and Virology, Postgraduate Training Unit for Health Sciences, Postgraduate School for Pure and Applied Sciences, The University of Douala, 24157 Douala, Cameroon
| | | | - Veena Pande
- grid.411155.50000 0001 1533 858XDepartment of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand 263001 India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- grid.419641.f0000 0000 9285 6594ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, New-Delhi 110077 India
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3
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Scully EJ, Liu W, Li Y, Ndjango JBN, Peeters M, Kamenya S, Pusey AE, Lonsdorf EV, Sanz CM, Morgan DB, Piel AK, Stewart FA, Gonder MK, Simmons N, Asiimwe C, Zuberbühler K, Koops K, Chapman CA, Chancellor R, Rundus A, Huffman MA, Wolfe ND, Duraisingh MT, Hahn BH, Wrangham RW. The ecology and epidemiology of malaria parasitism in wild chimpanzee reservoirs. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1020. [PMID: 36167977 PMCID: PMC9515101 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03962-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) harbor rich assemblages of malaria parasites, including three species closely related to P. falciparum (sub-genus Laverania), the most malignant human malaria parasite. Here, we characterize the ecology and epidemiology of malaria infection in wild chimpanzee reservoirs. We used molecular assays to screen chimpanzee fecal samples, collected longitudinally and cross-sectionally from wild populations, for malaria parasite mitochondrial DNA. We found that chimpanzee malaria parasitism has an early age of onset and varies seasonally in prevalence. A subset of samples revealed Hepatocystis mitochondrial DNA, with phylogenetic analyses suggesting that Hepatocystis appears to cross species barriers more easily than Laverania. Longitudinal and cross-sectional sampling independently support the hypothesis that mean ambient temperature drives spatiotemporal variation in chimpanzee Laverania infection. Infection probability peaked at ~24.5 °C, consistent with the empirical transmission optimum of P. falciparum in humans. Forest cover was also positively correlated with spatial variation in Laverania prevalence, consistent with the observation that forest-dwelling Anophelines are the primary vectors. Extrapolating these relationships across equatorial Africa, we map spatiotemporal variation in the suitability of chimpanzee habitat for Laverania transmission, offering a hypothetical baseline indicator of human exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Scully
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Weimin Liu
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jean-Bosco N Ndjango
- Department of Ecology and Management of Plant and Animal Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, BP 2012, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Martine Peeters
- Recherche Translationnelle Appliquée au VIH et aux Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Shadrack Kamenya
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, The Jane Goodall Institute, Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Anne E Pusey
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Elizabeth V Lonsdorf
- Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, 17604, USA
| | - Crickette M Sanz
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, 63130, USA.,Congo Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, BP 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - David B Morgan
- Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA
| | - Alex K Piel
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, 14 Taviton St, Bloomsbury, WC1H OBW, London, UK
| | - Fiona A Stewart
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, 14 Taviton St, Bloomsbury, WC1H OBW, London, UK.,School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Mary K Gonder
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nicole Simmons
- Zoology Department, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Klaus Zuberbühler
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.,Department of Comparative Cognition, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Kathelijne Koops
- Department of Ape Behaviour & Ecology Group, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Colin A Chapman
- Department of Anthropology, Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.,School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Chancellor
- Department of Anthropology & Sociology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, USA.,Department of Psychology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Aaron Rundus
- Department of Psychology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Huffman
- Center for International Collaboration and Advanced Studies in Primatology, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Richard W Wrangham
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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4
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Escalante AA, Cepeda AS, Pacheco MA. Why Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are so different? A tale of two clades and their species diversities. Malar J 2022; 21:139. [PMID: 35505356 PMCID: PMC9066883 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The global malaria burden sometimes obscures that the genus Plasmodium comprises diverse clades with lineages that independently gave origin to the extant human parasites. Indeed, the differences between the human malaria parasites were highlighted in the classical taxonomy by dividing them into two subgenera, the subgenus Plasmodium, which included all the human parasites but Plasmodium falciparum that was placed in its separate subgenus, Laverania. Here, the evolution of Plasmodium in primates will be discussed in terms of their species diversity and some of their distinct phenotypes, putative molecular adaptations, and host–parasite biocenosis. Thus, in addition to a current phylogeny using genome-level data, some specific molecular features will be discussed as examples of how these parasites have diverged. The two subgenera of malaria parasites found in primates, Plasmodium and Laverania, reflect extant monophyletic groups that originated in Africa. However, the subgenus Plasmodium involves species in Southeast Asia that were likely the result of adaptive radiation. Such events led to the Plasmodium vivax lineage. Although the Laverania species, including P. falciparum, has been considered to share “avian characteristics,” molecular traits that were likely in the common ancestor of primate and avian parasites are sometimes kept in the Plasmodium subgenus while being lost in Laverania. Assessing how molecular traits in the primate malaria clades originated is a fundamental science problem that will likely provide new targets for interventions. However, given that the genus Plasmodium is paraphyletic (some descendant groups are in other genera), understanding the evolution of malaria parasites will benefit from studying “non-Plasmodium” Haemosporida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananias A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine [iGEM], Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA.
| | - Axl S Cepeda
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine [iGEM], Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine [iGEM], Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA
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5
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Plenderleith LJ, Liu W, Li Y, Loy DE, Mollison E, Connell J, Ayouba A, Esteban A, Peeters M, Sanz CM, Morgan DB, Wolfe ND, Ulrich M, Sachse A, Calvignac-Spencer S, Leendertz FH, Shaw GM, Hahn BH, Sharp PM. Zoonotic origin of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium malariae from African apes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1868. [PMID: 35387986 PMCID: PMC8987028 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29306-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human parasite Plasmodium malariae has relatives infecting African apes (Plasmodium rodhaini) and New World monkeys (Plasmodium brasilianum), but its origins remain unknown. Using a novel approach to characterise P. malariae-related sequences in wild and captive African apes, we found that this group comprises three distinct lineages, one of which represents a previously unknown, highly divergent species infecting chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas across central Africa. A second ape-derived lineage is much more closely related to the third, human-infective lineage P. malariae, but exhibits little evidence of genetic exchange with it, and so likely represents a separate species. Moreover, the levels and nature of genetic polymorphisms in P. malariae indicate that it resulted from the zoonotic transmission of an African ape parasite, reminiscent of the origin of P. falciparum. In contrast, P. brasilianum falls within the radiation of human P. malariae, and thus reflects a recent anthroponosis. Plasmodium malariae is a cause of malaria in humans and related species have been identified in non-human primates. Here, the authors use genomic analyses to establish that human P. malariae arose from a host switch of an ape parasite whilst a species infecting New World monkeys can be traced to a reverse zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey J Plenderleith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK.
| | - Weimin Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Dorothy E Loy
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ewan Mollison
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Jesse Connell
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ahidjo Ayouba
- Recherche Translationnelle Appliquée au VIH et aux Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Amandine Esteban
- Recherche Translationnelle Appliquée au VIH et aux Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Peeters
- Recherche Translationnelle Appliquée au VIH et aux Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Crickette M Sanz
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, 63130, USA.,Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, BP, 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - David B Morgan
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Congo Program, BP, 14537, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.,Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Fabian H Leendertz
- Robert Koch Institute, 13353, Berlin, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for One Health, Greifswald, Germany
| | - George M Shaw
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK.
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6
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Voinson M, Nunn CL, Goldberg A. Primate malarias as a model for cross-species parasite transmission. eLife 2022; 11:e69628. [PMID: 35086643 PMCID: PMC8798051 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites regularly switch into new host species, representing a disease burden and conservation risk to the hosts. The distribution of these parasites also gives insight into characteristics of ecological networks and genetic mechanisms of host-parasite interactions. Some parasites are shared across many species, whereas others tend to be restricted to hosts from a single species. Understanding the mechanisms producing this distribution of host specificity can enable more effective interventions and potentially identify genetic targets for vaccines or therapies. As ecological connections between human and local animal populations increase, the risk to human and wildlife health from novel parasites also increases. Which of these parasites will fizzle out and which have the potential to become widespread in humans? We consider the case of primate malarias, caused by Plasmodium parasites, to investigate the interacting ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that put human and nonhuman primates at risk for infection. Plasmodium host switching from nonhuman primates to humans led to ancient introductions of the most common malaria-causing agents in humans today, and new parasite switching is a growing threat, especially in Asia and South America. Based on a wild host-Plasmodium occurrence database, we highlight geographic areas of concern and potential areas to target further sampling. We also discuss methodological developments that will facilitate clinical and field-based interventions to improve human and wildlife health based on this eco-evolutionary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Voinson
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Charles L Nunn
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
- Duke Global Health, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Amy Goldberg
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke UniversityDurhamUnited States
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7
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Bamou R, Mayi MPA, Djiappi-Tchamen B, Nana-Ndjangwo SM, Nchoutpouen E, Cornel AJ, Awono-Ambene P, Parola P, Tchuinkam T, Antonio-Nkondjio C. An update on the mosquito fauna and mosquito-borne diseases distribution in Cameroon. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:527. [PMID: 34635176 PMCID: PMC8507310 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya in the past 15 years has ignited the need for active surveillance of common and neglected mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The surveillance should be designed to detect diseases and to provide relevant field-based data for developing and implementing effective control measures to prevent outbreaks before significant public health consequences can occur. Mosquitoes are important vectors of human and animal pathogens, and knowledge on their biodiversity and distribution in the Afrotropical region is needed for the development of evidence-based vector control strategies. Following a comprehensive literature search, an inventory of the diversity and distribution of mosquitoes as well as the different mosquito-borne diseases found in Cameroon was made. A total of 290 publications/reports and the mosquito catalogue website were consulted for the review. To date, about 307 species, four subspecies and one putative new species of Culicidae, comprising 60 species and one putative new species of Anopheles, 67 species and two subspecies of Culex, 77 species and one subspecies of Aedes, 31 species and one subspecies of Eretmapodites, two Mansonia, eight Coquillettidia, and 62 species with unknown medical and veterinary importance (Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, Mimomyia, Malaya, Hodgesia, Ficalbia, Orthopodomyia, Aedeomyia, and Culiseta and Lutzia) have been collected in Cameroon. Multiple mosquito species implicated in the transmission of pathogens within Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Eretmapodites, Mansonia, and Coquillettidia have been reported in Cameroon. Furthermore, the presence of 26 human and zoonotic arboviral diseases, one helminthic disease, and two protozoal diseases has been reported. Information on the bionomics, taxonomy, and distribution of mosquito species will be useful for the development of integrated vector management programmes for the surveillance and elimination of mosquito-borne diseases in Cameroon. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Bamou
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon. .,Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon. .,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | - Marie Paul Audrey Mayi
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Borel Djiappi-Tchamen
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.,Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Stella Mariette Nana-Ndjangwo
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie et d'écologie, Université de Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroun
| | - Elysée Nchoutpouen
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Antony John Cornel
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, Mosquito Control Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Parfait Awono-Ambene
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Phillipe Parola
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, UMR Vecteurs-Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Timoléon Tchuinkam
- Vector Borne Diseases Laboratory of the Biology and Applied Ecology Research Unit (VBID-URBEA), Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science of the University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte Contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Vector Biology Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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8
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Cuenca PR, Key S, Jumail A, Surendra H, Ferguson HM, Drakeley CJ, Fornace K. Epidemiology of the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi in changing landscapes. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 113:225-286. [PMID: 34620384 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Within the past two decades, incidence of human cases of the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi has increased markedly. P. knowlesi is now the most common cause of human malaria in Malaysia and threatens to undermine malaria control programmes across Southeast Asia. The emergence of zoonotic malaria corresponds to a period of rapid deforestation within this region. These environmental changes impact the distribution and behaviour of the simian hosts, mosquito vector species and human populations, creating new opportunities for P. knowlesi transmission. Here, we review how landscape changes can drive zoonotic disease emergence, examine the extent and causes of these changes across Southeast and identify how these mechanisms may be impacting P. knowlesi dynamics. We review the current spatial epidemiology of reported P. knowlesi infections in people and assess how these demographic and environmental changes may lead to changes in transmission patterns. Finally, we identify opportunities to improve P. knowlesi surveillance and develop targeted ecological interventions within these landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Ruiz Cuenca
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Key
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Henry Surendra
- Eijkman-Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Jakarta, Indonesia; Centre for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Heather M Ferguson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J Drakeley
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberly Fornace
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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9
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Rougeron V, Boundenga L, Arnathau C, Durand P, Renaud F, Prugnolle F. A population genetic perspective on the origin, spread and adaptation of the human malaria agents Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 46:6373923. [PMID: 34550355 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is considered one of the most important scourges that humanity has faced during its history, being responsible every year for numerous deaths worldwide. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites, among which two species are responsible of the majority of the burden, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. For these two parasite species, the questions of their origin (how and when they appeared in humans), of their spread throughout the world, as well as how they have adapted to humans have long been of interest to the scientific community. Here, we review the current knowledge that has accumulated on these different questions, thanks in particular to the analysis of the genetic and genomic variability of these parasites and comparison with related Plasmodium species infecting other host species (like non-human primates). In this paper we review the existing body of knowledge, including current research dealing with these questions, focusing particularly on genetic analysis and genomic variability of these parasites and comparison with related Plasmodium species infecting other species of host (such as non-human primates).
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Rougeron
- Laboratory MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 900 rue Jean François Breton, 34090 Montpellier, France.,CREES, Centre de Recherches en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
| | - Larson Boundenga
- CIRMF, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Céline Arnathau
- Laboratory MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 900 rue Jean François Breton, 34090 Montpellier, France.,CREES, Centre de Recherches en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Durand
- Laboratory MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 900 rue Jean François Breton, 34090 Montpellier, France.,CREES, Centre de Recherches en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
| | - François Renaud
- Laboratory MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 900 rue Jean François Breton, 34090 Montpellier, France.,CREES, Centre de Recherches en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Laboratory MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 900 rue Jean François Breton, 34090 Montpellier, France.,CREES, Centre de Recherches en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé, Montpellier, France
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10
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Abstract
African apes harbor at least twelve Plasmodium species, some of which have been a source of human infection. It is now well established that Plasmodium falciparum emerged following the transmission of a gorilla parasite, perhaps within the last 10,000 years, while Plasmodium vivax emerged earlier from a parasite lineage that infected humans and apes in Africa before the Duffy-negative mutation eliminated the parasite from humans there. Compared to their ape relatives, both human parasites have greatly reduced genetic diversity and an excess of nonsynonymous mutations, consistent with severe genetic bottlenecks followed by rapid population expansion. A putative new Plasmodium species widespread in chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos places the origin of Plasmodium malariae in Africa. Here, we review what is known about the origins and evolutionary history of all human-infective Plasmodium species, the time and circumstances of their emergence, and the diversity, host specificity, and zoonotic potential of their ape counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsey J Plenderleith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA;
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11
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Antinori S, Bonazzetti C, Giacomelli A, Corbellino M, Galli M, Parravicini C, Ridolfo AL. Non-human primate and human malaria: past, present and future. J Travel Med 2021; 28:6162451. [PMID: 33693917 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of the malaria parasites infecting various non-human primates (NHPs) have increased our understanding of the origin, biology and pathogenesis of human Plasmodium parasites.This review considers the major discoveries concerning NHP malaria parasites, highlights their relationships with human malaria and considers the impact that this may have on attempts to eradicate the disease. RESULTS The first description of NHP malaria parasites dates back to the early 20th century. Subsequently, experimental and fortuitous findings indicating that some NHP malaria parasites can be transmitted to humans have raised concerns about the possible impact of a zoonotic malaria reservoir on efforts to control human malaria.Advances in molecular techniques over the last 15 years have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the existence and geographical distribution of numerous Plasmodium species infecting NHPs, and extended our understanding of their close phylogenetic relationships with human malaria parasites. The clinical application of such techniques has also made it possible to document ongoing spillovers of NHP malaria parasites (Plasmodium knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. simium, P. brasilianum) in humans living in or near the forests of Asia and South America, thus confirming that zoonotic malaria can undermine efforts to eradicate human malaria. CONCLUSIONS Increasing molecular research supports the prophetic intuition of the pioneers of modern malariology who saw zoonotic malaria as a potential obstacle to the full success of malaria eradication programmes. It is, therefore, important to continue surveillance and research based on one-health approaches in order to improve our understanding of the complex interactions between NHPs, mosquito vectors and humans during a period of ongoing changes in the climate and the use of land, monitor the evolution of zoonotic malaria, identify the populations most at risk and implement appropriate preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Bonazzetti
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Corbellino
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Galli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Parravicini
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
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12
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Daron J, Boissière A, Boundenga L, Ngoubangoye B, Houze S, Arnathau C, Sidobre C, Trape JF, Durand P, Renaud F, Fontaine MC, Prugnolle F, Rougeron V. Population genomic evidence of Plasmodium vivax Southeast Asian origin. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/18/eabc3713. [PMID: 33910900 PMCID: PMC8081369 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc3713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most common and widespread human malaria parasite. It was recently proposed that P. vivax originates from sub-Saharan Africa based on the circulation of its closest genetic relatives (P. vivax-like) among African great apes. However, the limited number of genetic markers and samples investigated questions the robustness of this hypothesis. Here, we extensively characterized the genomic variations of 447 human P. vivax strains and 19 ape P. vivax-like strains collected worldwide. Phylogenetic relationships between human and ape Plasmodium strains revealed that P. vivax is a sister clade of P. vivax-like, not included within the radiation of P. vivax-like By investigating various aspects of P. vivax genetic variation, we identified several notable geographical patterns in summary statistics in function of the increasing geographic distance from Southeast Asia, suggesting that P. vivax may have derived from a single area in Asia through serial founder effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josquin Daron
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France.
| | - Anne Boissière
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Larson Boundenga
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | | | - Sandrine Houze
- Service de Parasitologie-mycologie CNR du Paludisme, AP-HP Hôpital Bichat, 46 rue H. Huchard, 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France
| | - Celine Arnathau
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Christine Sidobre
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Trape
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Durand
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - François Renaud
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Michael C Fontaine
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IRD), 34394 Montpellier, France.
- Centre of Research in Ecology and Evolution of Diseases (CREES), Montpellier, France
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13
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Brown CA, Pappoe-Ashong PJ, Duah N, Ghansah A, Asmah H, Afari E, Koram KA. High frequency of the Duffy-negative genotype and absence of Plasmodium vivax infections in Ghana. Malar J 2021; 20:99. [PMID: 33596926 PMCID: PMC7888148 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03618-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies from different malaria-endemic regions including western Africa have now shown that Plasmodium vivax can infect red blood cells (RBCs) and cause clinical disease in Duffy-negative people, though the Duffy-negative phenotype was thought to confer complete refractoriness against blood invasion with P. vivax. The actual prevalence of P. vivax in local populations in Ghana is unknown and little information is available about the distribution of Duffy genotypes. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of P. vivax in both asymptomatic and symptomatic outpatients and the distribution of Duffy genotypes in Ghana. Methods DNA was extracted from dried blood spots (DBS) collected from 952 subjects (845 malaria patients and 107 asymptomatic persons) from nine locations in Ghana. Plasmodium species identification was carried out by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA genes. For P. vivax detection, a second PCR of the central region of the Pvcsp gene was carried out. Duffy blood group genotyping was performed by allele-specific PCR to detect the presence of the FYES allele. Results No cases of P. vivax were detected in any of the samples by both PCR methods used. Majority of infections (542, 94.8%) in the malaria patient samples were due to P. falciparum with only 1 infection (0.0017%) due to Plasmodium malariae, and 2 infections (0.0034%) due to Plasmodium ovale. No case of mixed infection was identified. Of the samples tested for the FYES allele from all the sites, 90.5% (862/952) had the FYES allele. All positive samples were genotyped as FY*B-33/FY*B-33 (Duffy-negative homozygous) and therefore classified as Fy(a−b−). Conclusions No cases of P. vivax were detected by both PCRs and majority of the subjects tested carried the FYES allele. The lack of P. vivax infections observed can be attributed to the high frequency of the FYES allele that silences erythroid expression of the Duffy. These results provide insights on the host susceptibility for P. vivax infections that had not been investigated in Ghana before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Brown
- School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
| | - Prince J Pappoe-Ashong
- School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Nancy Duah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Anita Ghansah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Harry Asmah
- School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Edwin Afari
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo A Koram
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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14
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Fornace KM, Diaz AV, Lines J, Drakeley CJ. Achieving global malaria eradication in changing landscapes. Malar J 2021; 20:69. [PMID: 33530995 PMCID: PMC7856737 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03599-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Land use and land cover changes, such as deforestation, agricultural expansion and urbanization, are one of the largest anthropogenic environmental changes globally. Recent initiatives to evaluate the feasibility of malaria eradication have highlighted impacts of landscape changes on malaria transmission and the potential of these changes to undermine malaria control and elimination efforts. Multisectoral approaches are needed to detect and minimize negative impacts of land use and land cover changes on malaria transmission while supporting development aiding malaria control, elimination and ultimately eradication. Pathways through which land use and land cover changes disrupt social and ecological systems to increase or decrease malaria risks are outlined, identifying priorities and opportunities for a global malaria eradication campaign. The impacts of land use and land cover changes on malaria transmission are complex and highly context-specific, with effects changing over time and space. Landscape changes are only one element of a complex development process with wider economic and social dimensions affecting human health and wellbeing. While deforestation and other landscape changes threaten to undermine malaria control efforts and have driven the emergence of zoonotic malaria, most of the malaria elimination successes have been underpinned by agricultural development and land management. Malaria eradication is not feasible without addressing these changing risks while, conversely, consideration of malaria impacts in land management decisions has the potential to significantly accelerate progress towards eradication. Multisectoral cooperation and approaches to linking malaria control and environmental science, such as conducting locally relevant ecological monitoring, integrating landscape data into malaria surveillance systems and designing environmental management strategies to reduce malaria burdens, are essential to achieve malaria eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Fornace
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. .,Centre for Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Adriana V Diaz
- Pathology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK
| | - Jo Lines
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Centre for Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Chris J Drakeley
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Centre for Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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15
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Su XZ, Wu J. Zoonotic Transmissions and Host Switches of Malaria Parasites. ZOONOSES (BURLINGTON, MASS.) 2021; 1. [PMID: 35282332 DOI: 10.15212/zoonoses-2021-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease that affects the health of hundreds of millions of people annually. There are five Plasmodium parasite species that can naturally infect humans, including Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi. Some of the parasites can also infect various non-human primates. Parasites mainly infecting monkeys such as Plasmodium cynomolgi (in fact P. knowlesi was considered as a parasite of monkeys for years) can also be transmitted to human hosts. Recently, many new Plasmodium species were discovered in African apes, and it is possible that some of the parasites can be transmitted to humans in the future. Here, we searched PubMed and the internet via Google and selected articles concerning zoonotic transmission and evolution of selected malaria parasite species. We reviewed the current advances in the relevant topics emphasizing on transmissions of malaria parasites between humans and non-human primates. We also briefly discuss the transmissions of some avian malaria parasites between wild birds and domestic fowls. Zoonotic malaria transmissions are widespread, which poses a threat to public health. More studies on parasite species identification in non-human primates, transmission, and evolution are needed to reduce or prevent transmission of malaria parasites from non-human primates to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Zhuan Su
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA
| | - Jian Wu
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA
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16
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Mbohou Nchetnkou C, Nyabeyeu Nyabeyeu H, Kojom Foko LP, Lehman LG. Comparison of the fluorescence microscopy Cyscope® with light microscopy for malaria diagnosis in a small and active surveillance in Cameroon. Trop Med Health 2020; 48:61. [PMID: 32742185 PMCID: PMC7385968 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-020-00234-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria has a negative impact on the activities of companies in endemic countries especially in Cameroon. In this regard, an increasingly growing number of companies have started to include management of malarious patients in their health policies. In the present study, we will evaluate the diagnostic performances of a fluorescence microscopy (FM), Cyscope® microscope, in the detection of malaria parasites. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of two companies of the town of Douala on 21 and 22 March 2017. Sociodemographic information of employees was collected using a questionnaire form. Blood samples of ~ 10 μL were collected by venipuncture for the diagnosis of malaria using FM and light microscopy (LM). Performances of FM with respect to sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), positive and negative likelihood rates (PLR and NLR), accuracy, reliability, and Kappa index were calculated using LM as gold standard. Results In total, 442 employees, aged 37.8 ± 9.7 years old on average, were included in the study. Prevalence of malaria using FM and LM was 39.2% and 17%, respectively (p < 0.01). Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax were the two species involved in malaria infection cases. In terms of developmental stages, 68%, 45.3%, and 1.3% of employees carried gametocytes, trophozoites, and schizonts, respectively. Findings on diagnostic performances of FM were as follows: Se = 84%, Sp = 69.95%, PPV = 63.58%, NPV = 95.5%, accuracy = 89.36%, and reliability = 53.95%. Sensitivity of Cyscope® microscope increased as a function of parasitemia with values ranging from 76.92% at parasitemia between 1 and 500 parasites/μL to 91.11% at parasitemia between 501 and 5000 parasites/μL. The geometric mean parasite density was1850 parasites per μL of blood (range 1600-40,000), and most of employees (60.8%) had moderate parasitemia. The performances of FM were similar between febrile and afebrile patients. Conclusions This study showed good performances of Cyscope® microscope and outlines that this diagnostic tool could be used in management of malaria at workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Mbohou Nchetnkou
- Department of Animal Organisms, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Hervé Nyabeyeu Nyabeyeu
- Department of Animal Organisms, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Loick P Kojom Foko
- Department of Animal Organisms, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Leopold G Lehman
- Department of Animal Organisms, Faculty of Science, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
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17
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Bakker JW, Loy DE, Takken W, Hahn BH, Verhulst NO. Attraction of mosquitoes to primate odours and implications for zoonotic Plasmodium transmission. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 34:17-26. [PMID: 31420992 PMCID: PMC7002228 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases often originate from wildlife and can spill over into the human population. One of the most important determinants of vector-borne disease transmission is the host preference of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes with a specialised host preference are guided by body odours to find their hosts in addition to carbon dioxide. Little is known about the role of mosquito host preference in the spillover of pathogenic agents from humans towards animals and vice versa. In the Republic of Congo, the attraction of mosquitoes to primate host odours was determined, as well as their possible role as malaria vectors, using odour-baited traps mimicking the potential hosts of mosquitoes. Most of the mosquito species caught showed a generalistic host preference. Anopheles obscurus was the most abundant Anopheles mosquito, with a generalistic host preference observed from the olfactory response and the detection of various Plasmodium parasites. Interestingly, Culex decens showed a much higher attraction towards chimpanzee odours than to human or cow odours. Human Plasmodium parasites were observed in both human and chimpanzee blood, although not in the Anopheles mosquitoes that were collected. Understanding the role of mosquito host preference for cross-species parasite transmission provides information that will help to determine the risk of spillover of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. W. Bakker
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - D. E. Loy
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAU.S.A.
| | - W. Takken
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - B. H. Hahn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAU.S.A.
| | - N. O. Verhulst
- Laboratory of EntomologyWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
- National Centre for Vector Entomology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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18
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Antonio-Nkondjio C, Ndo C, Njiokou F, Bigoga JD, Awono-Ambene P, Etang J, Ekobo AS, Wondji CS. Review of malaria situation in Cameroon: technical viewpoint on challenges and prospects for disease elimination. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:501. [PMID: 31655608 PMCID: PMC6815446 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3753-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria still has a devastating impact on public health and welfare in Cameroon. Despite the increasing number of studies conducted on disease prevalence, transmission patterns or treatment, there are to date, not enough studies summarising findings from previous works in order to identify gaps in knowledge and areas of interest where further evidence is needed to drive malaria elimination efforts. The present study seeks to address these gaps by providing a review of studies conducted so far on malaria in Cameroon since the 1940s to date. Over 250 scientific publications were consulted for this purpose. Although there has been increased scale-up of vector control interventions which significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality to malaria across the country from a prevalence of 41% of the population reporting at least one malaria case episode in 2000 to a prevalence of 24% in 2017, the situation is not yet under control. There is a high variability in disease endemicity between epidemiological settings with prevalence of Plasmodium parasitaemia varying from 7 to 85% in children aged 6 months to 15 years after long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) scale-up. Four species of Plasmodium have been recorded across the country: Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. vivax. Several primate-infecting Plasmodium spp. are also circulating in Cameroon. A decline of artemisinin-based combinations therapeutic efficacy from 97% in 2006 to 90% in 2016 have been reported. Several mutations in the P. falciparum chloroquine resistance (Pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (Pfmdr1) genes conferring resistance to either 4-amino-quinoleine, mefloquine, halofanthrine and quinine have been documented. Mutations in the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes involved in sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine are also on the rise. No mutation associated with artemisinin resistance has been recorded. Sixteen anopheline species contribute to malaria parasite transmission with six recognized as major vectors: An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. funestus, An. nili and An. moucheti. Studies conducted so far, indicated rapid expansion of DDT, pyrethroid and carbamate resistance in An. gambiae, An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis and An. funestus threatening the performance of LLINs. This review highlights the complex situation of malaria in Cameroon and the need to urgently implement and reinforce integrated control strategies in different epidemiological settings, as part of the substantial efforts to consolidate gains and advance towards malaria elimination in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur le Paludisme, Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), B. P.288 Yaoundé, Cameroun
- Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Vector Biology Liverpool School of Tropical medicine Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cyrille Ndo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
- Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Flobert Njiokou
- Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 337, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Jude D. Bigoga
- Laboratory for Vector Biology and control, National Reference Unit for Vector Control, The Biotechnology Center, Nkolbisson-University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 3851, Messa, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Parfait Awono-Ambene
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur le Paludisme, Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), B. P.288 Yaoundé, Cameroun
| | - Josiane Etang
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur le Paludisme, Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), B. P.288 Yaoundé, Cameroun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Winchester Str. 2, 35394 Gießen, Germany
| | - Albert Same Ekobo
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 337, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Charles S. Wondji
- Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), P.O. Box 13591, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Vector Biology Liverpool School of Tropical medicine Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
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19
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Proto WR, Siegel SV, Dankwa S, Liu W, Kemp A, Marsden S, Zenonos ZA, Unwin S, Sharp PM, Wright GJ, Hahn BH, Duraisingh MT, Rayner JC. Adaptation of Plasmodium falciparum to humans involved the loss of an ape-specific erythrocyte invasion ligand. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4512. [PMID: 31586047 PMCID: PMC6778099 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12294-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium species are frequently host-specific, but little is currently known about the molecular factors restricting host switching. This is particularly relevant for P. falciparum, the only known human-infective species of the Laverania sub-genus, all other members of which infect African apes. Here we show that all tested P. falciparum isolates contain an inactivating mutation in an erythrocyte invasion associated gene, PfEBA165, the homologues of which are intact in all ape-infective Laverania species. Recombinant EBA165 proteins only bind ape, not human, erythrocytes, and this specificity is due to differences in erythrocyte surface sialic acids. Correction of PfEBA165 inactivating mutations by genome editing yields viable parasites, but is associated with down regulation of both PfEBA165 and an adjacent invasion ligand, which suggests that PfEBA165 expression is incompatible with parasite growth in human erythrocytes. Pseudogenization of PfEBA165 may represent a key step in the emergence and evolution of P. falciparum. Here, Proto et al. show that human infective Plasmodium falciparum isolates contain an inactivating mutation in the erythrocyte invasion associated gene PfEBA165, while homologues of ape-infective Laverania species are intact, and that expression of intact PfEBA165 is incompatible with parasite growth in human erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Proto
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Sasha V Siegel
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Selasi Dankwa
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Weimin Liu
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alison Kemp
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Sarah Marsden
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Zenon A Zenonos
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Steve Unwin
- Chester Zoo, Chester, CH2 1LH, UK.,School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gavin J Wright
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK. .,Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
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20
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Woldearegai TG, Lalremruata A, Nguyen TT, Gmeiner M, Veletzky L, Tazemda-Kuitsouc GB, Matsiegui PB, Mordmüller B, Held J. Characterization of Plasmodium infections among inhabitants of rural areas in Gabon. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9784. [PMID: 31278305 PMCID: PMC6611864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium infections in endemic areas are often asymptomatic, can be caused by different species and contribute significantly to transmission. We performed a cross-sectional study in February/March 2016 including 840 individuals ≥ 1 year living in rural Gabon (Ngounié and Moyen-Ogooué). Plasmodium parasitemia was measured by high-sensitive, real-time quantitative PCR. In a randomly chosen subset of P. falciparum infections, gametocyte carriage and prevalence of chloroquine-resistant genotypes were analysed. 618/834 (74%) individuals were positive for Plasmodium 18S-rRNA gene amplification, of these 553 (66.3%) carried P. falciparum, 193 (23%) P. malariae, 74 (8.9%) P. ovale curtisi and 38 (4.6%) P.ovale wallikeri. Non-falciparum infections mostly presented as mixed infections. P. malariae monoinfected individuals were significantly older (median age: 60 years) than coinfected (20 years) or P. falciparum monoinfected individuals (23 years). P. falciparum gametocyte carriage was confirmed in 109/223 (48.9%) individuals, prevalence of chloroquine-resistant genotypes was high (298/336, 89%), including four infections with a new SVMNK genotype. In rural Gabon, Plasmodium infections with all endemic species are frequent, emphasizing that malaria control efforts shall cover asymptomatic infections also including non-falciparum infections when aiming for eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamirat Gebru Woldearegai
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Albert Lalremruata
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - The Trong Nguyen
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Vietnamese - German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Markus Gmeiner
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Luzia Veletzky
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I. Dep. of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Pierre Blaise Matsiegui
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de la Ngounié, Fougamou, Gabon
| | - Benjamin Mordmüller
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Jana Held
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.
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21
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Sherrill-Mix S, McCormick K, Lauder A, Bailey A, Zimmerman L, Li Y, Django JBN, Bertolani P, Colin C, Hart JA, Hart TB, Georgiev AV, Sanz CM, Morgan DB, Atencia R, Cox D, Muller MN, Sommer V, Piel AK, Stewart FA, Speede S, Roman J, Wu G, Taylor J, Bohm R, Rose HM, Carlson J, Mjungu D, Schmidt P, Gaughan C, Bushman JI, Schmidt E, Bittinger K, Collman RG, Hahn BH, Bushman FD. Allometry and Ecology of the Bilaterian Gut Microbiome. mBio 2018; 9:e00319-18. [PMID: 29588401 PMCID: PMC5874926 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00319-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical ecology provides principles for construction and function of biological communities, but to what extent these apply to the animal-associated microbiota is just beginning to be assessed. Here, we investigated the influence of several well-known ecological principles on animal-associated microbiota by characterizing gut microbial specimens from bilaterally symmetrical animals (Bilateria) ranging from flies to whales. A rigorously vetted sample set containing 265 specimens from 64 species was assembled. Bacterial lineages were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Previously published samples were also compared, allowing analysis of over 1,098 samples in total. A restricted number of bacterial phyla was found to account for the great majority of gut colonists. Gut microbial composition was associated with host phylogeny and diet. We identified numerous gut bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences that diverged deeply from previously studied taxa, identifying opportunities to discover new bacterial types. The number of bacterial lineages per gut sample was positively associated with animal mass, paralleling known species-area relationships from island biogeography and implicating body size as a determinant of community stability and niche complexity. Samples from larger animals harbored greater numbers of anaerobic communities, specifying a mechanism for generating more-complex microbial environments. Predictions for species/abundance relationships from models of neutral colonization did not match the data set, pointing to alternative mechanisms such as selection of specific colonists by environmental niche. Taken together, the data suggest that niche complexity increases with gut size and that niche selection forces dominate gut community construction.IMPORTANCE The intestinal microbiome of animals is essential for health, contributing to digestion of foods, proper immune development, inhibition of pathogen colonization, and catabolism of xenobiotic compounds. How these communities assemble and persist is just beginning to be investigated. Here we interrogated a set of gut samples from a wide range of animals to investigate the roles of selection and random processes in microbial community construction. We show that the numbers of bacterial species increased with the weight of host organisms, paralleling findings from studies of island biogeography. Communities in larger organisms tended to be more anaerobic, suggesting one mechanism for niche diversification. Nonselective processes enable specific predictions for community structure, but our samples did not match the predictions of the neutral model. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of niche selection in community construction and suggest mechanisms of niche diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Sherrill-Mix
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kevin McCormick
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abigail Lauder
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aubrey Bailey
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laurie Zimmerman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jean-Bosco N Django
- Department of Ecology and Management of Plant and Animal Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Paco Bertolani
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christelle Colin
- Projet Primates France, Centre de Conservation pour Chimpanzés, Faranah, Republic of Guinea
| | - John A Hart
- Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba Project, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Terese B Hart
- Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba Project, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Alexander V Georgiev
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Crickette M Sanz
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - David B Morgan
- Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rebeca Atencia
- Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, Jane Goodall Institute, Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo
| | - Debby Cox
- Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, Jane Goodall Institute, Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo
| | - Martin N Muller
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Volker Sommer
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander K Piel
- Department of Natural Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona A Stewart
- Department of Natural Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sheri Speede
- Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, IDA-Africa, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Joe Roman
- Gund Institute for Environment, Rubenstein School for Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Gary Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Josh Taylor
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Science Center, Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Rudolf Bohm
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Science Center, Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Heather M Rose
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Carlson
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service, Panama City, Florida, USA
| | - Deus Mjungu
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, The Jane Goodall Institute, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Paul Schmidt
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Celeste Gaughan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joyslin I Bushman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ella Schmidt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kyle Bittinger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronald G Collman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frederic D Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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22
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Loy DE, Rubel MA, Avitto AN, Liu W, Li Y, Learn GH, Ranciaro A, Mbunwe E, Fokunang C, Njamnshi AK, Sharp PM, Tishkoff SA, Hahn BH. Investigating zoonotic infection barriers to ape Plasmodium parasites using faecal DNA analysis. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:531-542. [PMID: 29476866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
African apes are endemically infected with numerous Plasmodium spp. including close relatives of human Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. Although these ape parasites are not believed to pose a zoonotic threat, their ability to colonise humans has not been fully explored. In particular, it remains unknown whether ape parasites are able to initiate exo-erythrocytic replication in human hepatocytes following the bite of an infective mosquito. Since animal studies have shown that liver stage infection can result in the excretion of parasite nucleic acids into the bile, we screened faecal samples from 504 rural Cameroonians for Plasmodium DNA. Using pan-Laverania as well as P. malariae- and P. vivax-specific primer sets, we amplified human P. falciparum (n = 14), P. malariae (n = 1), and P. ovale wallikeri (n = 1) mitochondrial sequences from faecal DNA of 15 individuals. However, despite using an intensified PCR screening approach we failed to detect ape Laverania, ape P. vivax or ape P. malariae parasites in these same subjects. One faecal sample from a hunter-gatherer contained a sequence closely related to the porcupine parasite Plasmodium atheruri. Since this same faecal sample also contained porcupine mitochondrial DNA, but a matching blood sample was Plasmodium-negative, it is likely that this hunter-gatherer consumed Plasmodium-infected bushmeat. Faecal Plasmodium detection was not secondary to intestinal bleeding and/or infection with gastrointestinal parasites, but indicative of blood parasitaemia. Quantitative PCR identified 26-fold more parasite DNA in the blood of faecal Plasmodium-positive than faecal Plasmodium-negative individuals (P = 0.01). However, among blood-positive individuals only 10% - 20% had detectable Plasmodium sequences in their stool. Thus, faecal screening of rural Cameroonians failed to uncover abortive ape Plasmodium infections, but detected infection with human parasites, albeit with reduced sensitivity compared with blood analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy E Loy
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Meagan A Rubel
- Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexa N Avitto
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Weimin Liu
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gerald H Learn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alessia Ranciaro
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric Mbunwe
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Charles Fokunang
- Department of Pharmacotoxicology and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Alfred K Njamnshi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Central Hospital Yaoundé, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A Tishkoff
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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23
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Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the major cause of malaria morbidity and mortality in humans, has been shown to have emerged after cross-species transmission of one of six host-specific parasites (subgenus Laverania) infecting wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). Binding of the parasite-encoded ligand RH5 to the host protein basigin is essential for erythrocyte invasion and has been implicated in host specificity. A recent study claimed to have found two amino acid changes in RH5 that “drove the host shift leading to the emergence of P. falciparum as a human pathogen.” However, the ape Laverania data available at that time, which included only a single distantly related chimpanzee parasite sequence, were inadequate to justify any such conclusion. Here, we have investigated Laverania Rh5 gene evolution using sequences from all six ape parasite species. Searching for gene-wide episodic selection across the entire Laverania phylogeny, we found eight codons to be under positive selection, including three that correspond to contact residues known to form hydrogen bonds between P. falciparum RH5 and human basigin. One of these sites (residue 197) has changed subsequent to the transmission from apes to humans that gave rise to P. falciparum, suggesting a possible role in the adaptation of the gorilla parasite to the human host. We also found evidence that the patterns of nucleotide polymorphisms in P. falciparum are not typical of Laverania species and likely reflect the recent demographic history of the human parasite. A number of closely related, host-specific malaria parasites infecting wild chimpanzees and gorillas have recently been described. The most important cause of human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is now known to have resulted from a cross-species transmission of one of the gorilla parasites. Overcoming species-specific interactions between a parasite ligand, RH5, and its receptor on host cells, basigin, was likely an important step in the origin of the human parasite. We have investigated the evolution of the Rh5 gene and found evidence of adaptive changes during the diversification of the ape parasite species at sites that are known to form bonds with human basigin. One of these changes occurred at the origin of P. falciparum, implicating it as an important adaptation to the human host.
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24
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Liu W, Sherrill-Mix S, Learn GH, Scully EJ, Li Y, Avitto AN, Loy DE, Lauder AP, Sundararaman SA, Plenderleith LJ, Ndjango JBN, Georgiev AV, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Peeters M, Bertolani P, Dupain J, Garai C, Hart JA, Hart TB, Shaw GM, Sharp PM, Hahn BH. Wild bonobos host geographically restricted malaria parasites including a putative new Laverania species. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1635. [PMID: 29158512 PMCID: PMC5696340 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01798-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites, though widespread among wild chimpanzees and gorillas, have not been detected in bonobos. Here, we show that wild-living bonobos are endemically Plasmodium infected in the eastern-most part of their range. Testing 1556 faecal samples from 11 field sites, we identify high prevalence Laverania infections in the Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba (TL2) area, but not at other locations across the Congo. TL2 bonobos harbour P. gaboni, formerly only found in chimpanzees, as well as a potential new species, Plasmodium lomamiensis sp. nov. Rare co-infections with non-Laverania parasites were also observed. Phylogenetic relationships among Laverania species are consistent with co-divergence with their gorilla, chimpanzee and bonobo hosts, suggesting a timescale for their evolution. The absence of Plasmodium from most field sites could not be explained by parasite seasonality, nor by bonobo population structure, diet or gut microbiota. Thus, the geographic restriction of bonobo Plasmodium reflects still unidentified factors that likely influence parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Scott Sherrill-Mix
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gerald H Learn
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Erik J Scully
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alexa N Avitto
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Dorothy E Loy
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Abigail P Lauder
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sesh A Sundararaman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lindsey J Plenderleith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Jean-Bosco N Ndjango
- Department of Ecology and Management of Plant and Animal Resources, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, BP 2012, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Alexander V Georgiev
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
- Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale, University of Kinshasa, BP 1197, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Martine Peeters
- Unité Mixte Internationale 233, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier 1, BP 5045, Montpellier, 34394, France
| | - Paco Bertolani
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QH, UK
| | - Jef Dupain
- African Wildlife Foundation Conservation Centre, P.O. Box 310, 00502, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cintia Garai
- Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba Project, BP 2012, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - John A Hart
- Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba Project, BP 2012, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Terese B Hart
- Lukuru Wildlife Research Foundation, Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba Project, BP 2012, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - George M Shaw
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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25
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Lim C, Dankwa S, Paul AS, Duraisingh MT. Host Cell Tropism and Adaptation of Blood-Stage Malaria Parasites: Challenges for Malaria Elimination. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:a025494. [PMID: 28213436 PMCID: PMC5666624 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a025494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax account for most of the mortality and morbidity associated with malaria in humans. Research and control efforts have focused on infections caused by P. falciparum and P. vivax, but have neglected other malaria parasite species that infect humans. Additionally, many related malaria parasite species infect nonhuman primates (NHPs), and have the potential for transmission to humans. For malaria elimination, the varied and specific challenges of all of these Plasmodium species will need to be considered. Recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics have increased our knowledge of the prevalence and existing diversity of the human and NHP Plasmodium species. We are beginning to identify the extent of the reservoirs of each parasite species in humans and NHPs, revealing their origins as well as potential for adaptation in humans. Here, we focus on the red blood cell stage of human infection and the host cell tropism of each human Plasmodium species. Determinants of tropism are unique among malaria parasite species, presenting a complex challenge for malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caeul Lim
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Selasi Dankwa
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Aditya S Paul
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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26
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Scully EJ, Kanjee U, Duraisingh MT. Molecular interactions governing host-specificity of blood stage malaria parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 40:21-31. [PMID: 29096194 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Non-human primates harbor diverse species of malaria parasites, including the progenitors of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Cross-species transmission of some malaria parasites-most notably the macaque parasite, Plasmodium knowlesi-continues to this day, compelling the scientific community to ask whether these zoonoses could impede malaria control efforts by acting as a source of recurrent human infection. Host-restriction varies considerably among parasite species and is governed by both ecological and molecular variables. In particular, the efficiency of red blood cell invasion constitutes a prominent barrier to zoonotic emergence. Although proteins expressed upon the erythrocyte surface exhibit considerable diversity both within and among hosts, malaria parasites have adapted to this heterogeneity via the expansion of protein families associated with invasion, offering redundant mechanisms of host cell entry. This molecular toolkit may enable some parasites to circumvent host barriers, potentially yielding host shifts upon subsequent adaptation. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the molecular determinants of host-specificity, as well as the mechanisms that malaria parasites use to overcome these restrictions. We review recent studies concerning host tropism in the context of erythrocyte invasion by focusing on three malaria parasites that span the zoonotic spectrum: P. falciparum, P. knowlesi, and P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Scully
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Usheer Kanjee
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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27
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Lalremruata A, Jeyaraj S, Engleitner T, Joanny F, Lang A, Bélard S, Mombo-Ngoma G, Ramharter M, Kremsner PG, Mordmüller B, Held J. Species and genotype diversity of Plasmodium in malaria patients from Gabon analysed by next generation sequencing. Malar J 2017; 16:398. [PMID: 28974215 PMCID: PMC5627438 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2044-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Six Plasmodium species are known to naturally infect humans. Mixed species infections occur regularly but morphological discrimination by microscopy is difficult and multiplicity of infection (MOI) can only be evaluated by molecular methods. This study investigated the complexity of Plasmodium infections in patients treated for microscopically detected non-falciparum or mixed species malaria in Gabon. Methods Ultra-deep sequencing of nucleus (18S rRNA), mitochondrion, and apicoplast encoded genes was used to evaluate Plasmodium species diversity and MOI in 46 symptomatic Gabonese patients with microscopically diagnosed non-falciparum or mixed species malaria. Results Deep sequencing revealed a large complexity of confections in patients with uncomplicated malaria, both on species and genotype levels. Mixed infections involved up to four parasite species (Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale curtisi, and P. ovale wallikeri). Multiple genotypes from each species were determined from the asexual 18S rRNA gene. 17 of 46 samples (37%) harboured multiple genotypes of at least one Plasmodium species. The number of genotypes per sample (MOI) was highest in P. malariae (n = 4), followed by P. ovale curtisi (n = 3), P. ovale wallikeri (n = 3), and P. falciparum (n = 2). The highest combined genotype complexity in samples that contained mixed-species infections was seven. Conclusions Ultra-deep sequencing showed an unexpected breadth of Plasmodium species and within species diversity in clinical samples. MOI of P. ovale curtisi, P. ovale wallikeri and P. malariae infections were higher than anticipated and contribute significantly to the burden of malaria in Gabon. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-2044-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Lalremruata
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sankarganesh Jeyaraj
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,PSG Institute of Advanced Studies, Coimbatore, 641 004, India
| | - Thomas Engleitner
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Fanny Joanny
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Lang
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Bélard
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Michael Ramharter
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Benjamin Mordmüller
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany. .,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon.
| | - Jana Held
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.,Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
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28
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De Nys H, Löhrich T, Wu D, Calvignac-Spencer S, Leendertz F. Wild African great apes as natural hosts of malaria parasites: current knowledge and research perspectives. Primate Biol 2017; 4:47-59. [PMID: 32110692 PMCID: PMC7041518 DOI: 10.5194/pb-4-47-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans and African great apes (AGAs) are naturally infected with several species of closely related malaria parasites. The need to understand the origins of human malaria as well as the risk of zoonotic transmissions and emergence of new malaria strains in human populations has markedly encouraged research on great ape Plasmodium parasites. Progress in the use of non-invasive methods has rendered investigations into wild ape populations possible. Present knowledge is mainly focused on parasite diversity and phylogeny, with still large gaps to fill on malaria parasite ecology. Understanding what malaria infection means in terms of great ape health is also an important, but challenging avenue of research and has been subject to relatively few research efforts so far. This paper reviews current knowledge on African great ape malaria and identifies gaps and future research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Marie De Nys
- Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- current address: UMI 233, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), INSERM U1175, and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Therese Löhrich
- Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Doris Wu
- Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Fabian Hubertus Leendertz
- Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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29
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Mapua MI, Petrželková KJ, Burgunder J, Dadáková E, Brožová K, Hrazdilová K, Stewart FA, Piel AK, Vallo P, Fuehrer HP, Hashimoto C, Modrý D, Qablan MA. A comparative molecular survey of malaria prevalence among Eastern chimpanzee populations in Issa Valley (Tanzania) and Kalinzu (Uganda). Malar J 2016; 15:423. [PMID: 27543045 PMCID: PMC4992209 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1476-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Habitat types can affect vector and pathogen distribution and transmission dynamics. The prevalence and genetic diversity of Plasmodium spp. in two eastern chimpanzee populations-Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Uganda and Issa Valley, Tanzania-inhabiting different habitat types was investigated. As a follow up study the effect of host sex and age on infections patterns in Kalinzu Forest Reserve chimpanzees was determined. METHODS Molecular methods were employed to detect Plasmodium DNA from faecal samples collected from savanna-woodland (Issa Valley) and forest (Kalinzu Forest Reserve) chimpanzee populations. RESULTS Based on a Cytochrome-b PCR assay, 32 out of 160 Kalinzu chimpanzee faecal samples were positive for Plasmodium DNA, whilst no positive sample was detected in 171 Issa Valley chimpanzee faecal samples. Sequence analysis revealed that previously known Laverania species (Plasmodium reichenowi, Plasmodium billbrayi and Plasmodium billcollinsi) are circulating in the Kalinzu chimpanzees. A significantly higher proportion of young individuals were tested positive for infections, and switching of Plasmodium spp. was reported in one individual. Amongst the positive individuals sampled more than once, the success of amplification of Plasmodium DNA from faeces varied over sampling time. CONCLUSION The study showed marked differences in the prevalence of malaria parasites among free ranging chimpanzee populations living in different habitats. In addition, a clear pattern of Plasmodium infections with respect to host age was found. The results presented in this study contribute to understanding the ecological aspects underlying the malaria infections in the wild. Nevertheless, integrative long-term studies on vector abundance, Plasmodium diversity during different seasons between sites would provide more insight on the occurrence, distribution and ecology of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mwanahamisi I Mapua
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Klára J Petrželková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Liberec Zoo, 460 01, Liberec, Czech Republic.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech of the Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jade Burgunder
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Dadáková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Brožová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Fiona A Stewart
- Division of Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QG, UK
| | - Alex K Piel
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L33AF, UK
| | - Peter Vallo
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chie Hashimoto
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech of the Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Moneeb A Qablan
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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30
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Ngoubangoye B, Boundenga L, Arnathau C, Mombo IM, Durand P, Tsoumbou TA, Otoro BV, Sana R, Okouga AP, Moukodoum N, Willaume E, Herbert A, Fouchet D, Rougeron V, Bâ CT, Ollomo B, Paupy C, Leroy EM, Renaud F, Pontier D, Prugnolle F. The host specificity of ape malaria parasites can be broken in confined environments. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:737-44. [PMID: 27486075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed a large diversity of Plasmodium spp. among African great apes. Some of these species are related to Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent agent of human malaria (subgenus Laverania), and others to Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium vivax (subgenus Plasmodium), three other human malaria agents. Laverania parasites exhibit strict host specificity in their natural environment. Plasmodium reichenowi, Plasmodium billcollinsi, Plasmodium billbrayi and Plasmodium gaboni infect only chimpanzees, while Plasmodium praefalciparum, Plasmodium blacklocki and Plasmodium adleri are restricted to gorillas and Plasmodium falciparum is pandemic in humans. This host specificity may be due to genetic and/or environmental factors. Infrastructures hosting captive primates, such as sanctuaries and health centres, usually concentrate different primate species, thus favouring pathogen exchanges. Using molecular tools, we analysed blood samples from captive non-human primates living in Gabon to evaluate the risk of Plasmodium spp. transfers between host species. We also included blood samples from workers taking care of primates to assess whether primate-human parasite transfers occurred. We detected four transfers of Plasmodium from gorillas towards chimpanzees, one from chimpanzees to gorillas, three from humans towards chimpanzees and one from humans to mandrills. No simian Plasmodium was found in the blood samples from humans working with primates. These findings demonstrate that the genetic barrier that determines the apparent host specificity of Laverania is not completely impermeable and that parasite exchanges between gorillas and chimpanzees are possible in confined environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barthélémy Ngoubangoye
- Centre de Primatologie, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon; Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université Lyon 1, France; LabEx ECOFECT, Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Infectious Diseases, University of Lyon, France.
| | - Larson Boundenga
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon; Laboratoire d'Écologie et Biologie Evolutive, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, BP5005, Senegal.
| | - Céline Arnathau
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France
| | - Illich Manfred Mombo
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France; Département de Zoonoses et maladies émergentes, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Patrick Durand
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Rick Sana
- Centre de Primatologie, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Alain-Prince Okouga
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Nancy Moukodoum
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Eric Willaume
- Parc de La Lékédi, Société d'Exploitation du Parc de La Lékédi/Entreprise de Recherche et d'Activités Métallurgiques/Compagnie Minière de l'Ogooué, BP 52, Bakoumba, Gabon
| | - Anaïs Herbert
- Centre de Primatologie, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - David Fouchet
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université Lyon 1, France; LabEx ECOFECT, Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Infectious Diseases, University of Lyon, France
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon; Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France
| | - Cheikh Tidiane Bâ
- Laboratoire d'Écologie et Biologie Evolutive, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, BP5005, Senegal
| | - Benjamin Ollomo
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Christophe Paupy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France
| | - Eric M Leroy
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France
| | - François Renaud
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Dominique Pontier
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR5558, Université Lyon 1, France; LabEx ECOFECT, Eco-evolutionary Dynamics of Infectious Diseases, University of Lyon, France
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Unité de Biodiversité, Ecologie et Evolution des Parasites, CIRMF, B.P. 769, Franceville, Gabon; Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UM-CNRS 5290-IRD 224, IRD Montpellier, France
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31
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Liu W, Sundararaman SA, Loy DE, Learn GH, Li Y, Plenderleith LJ, Ndjango JBN, Speede S, Atencia R, Cox D, Shaw GM, Ayouba A, Peeters M, Rayner JC, Hahn BH, Sharp PM. Multigenomic Delineation of Plasmodium Species of the Laverania Subgenus Infecting Wild-Living Chimpanzees and Gorillas. Genome Biol Evol 2016; 8:1929-39. [PMID: 27289102 PMCID: PMC4943199 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the major cause of malaria morbidity and mortality worldwide, is only distantly related to other human malaria parasites and has thus been placed in a separate subgenus, termed Laverania Parasites morphologically similar to P. falciparum have been identified in African apes, but only one other Laverania species, Plasmodium reichenowi from chimpanzees, has been formally described. Although recent studies have pointed to the existence of additional Laverania species, their precise number and host associations remain uncertain, primarily because of limited sampling and a paucity of parasite sequences other than from mitochondrial DNA. To address this, we used limiting dilution polymerase chain reaction to amplify additional parasite sequences from a large number of chimpanzee and gorilla blood and fecal samples collected at two sanctuaries and 30 field sites across equatorial Africa. Phylogenetic analyses of more than 2,000 new sequences derived from the mitochondrial, nuclear, and apicoplast genomes revealed six divergent and well-supported clades within the Laverania parasite group. Although two of these clades exhibited deep subdivisions in phylogenies estimated from organelle gene sequences, these sublineages were geographically defined and not present in trees from four unlinked nuclear loci. This greatly expanded sequence data set thus confirms six, and not seven or more, ape Laverania species, of which P. reichenowi, Plasmodium gaboni, and Plasmodium billcollinsi only infect chimpanzees, whereas Plasmodium praefalciparum, Plasmodium adleri, and Pladmodium blacklocki only infect gorillas. The new sequence data also confirm the P. praefalciparum origin of human P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Liu
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Sesh A Sundararaman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Dorothy E Loy
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Gerald H Learn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Lindsey J Plenderleith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sheri Speede
- Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, IDA-Africa, Portland, Oregon
| | - Rebeca Atencia
- Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo
| | - Debby Cox
- Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo Africa Programmes, Jane Goodall Institute, Vienna, Virginia
| | - George M Shaw
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Ahidjo Ayouba
- UMI 233, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), INSERM U1175, and University of Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Peeters
- UMI 233, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), INSERM U1175, and University of Montpellier, France
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Malaria Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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32
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Loy DE, Liu W, Li Y, Learn GH, Plenderleith LJ, Sundararaman SA, Sharp PM, Hahn BH. Out of Africa: origins and evolution of the human malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Int J Parasitol 2016; 47:87-97. [PMID: 27381764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax account for more than 95% of all human malaria infections, and thus pose a serious public health challenge. To control and potentially eliminate these pathogens, it is important to understand their origins and evolutionary history. Until recently, it was widely believed that P. falciparum had co-evolved with humans (and our ancestors) over millions of years, whilst P. vivax was assumed to have emerged in southeastern Asia following the cross-species transmission of a parasite from a macaque. However, the discovery of a multitude of Plasmodium spp. in chimpanzees and gorillas has refuted these theories and instead revealed that both P. falciparum and P. vivax evolved from parasites infecting wild-living African apes. It is now clear that P. falciparum resulted from a recent cross-species transmission of a parasite from a gorilla, whilst P. vivax emerged from an ancestral stock of parasites that infected chimpanzees, gorillas and humans in Africa, until the spread of the protective Duffy-negative mutation eliminated P. vivax from human populations there. Although many questions remain concerning the biology and zoonotic potential of the P. falciparum- and P. vivax-like parasites infecting apes, comparative genomics, coupled with functional parasite and vector studies, are likely to yield new insights into ape Plasmodium transmission and pathogenesis that are relevant to the treatment and prevention of human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy E Loy
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Weimin Liu
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gerald H Learn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lindsey J Plenderleith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Sesh A Sundararaman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Paul M Sharp
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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33
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Genomes of cryptic chimpanzee Plasmodium species reveal key evolutionary events leading to human malaria. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11078. [PMID: 27002652 PMCID: PMC4804174 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
African apes harbour at least six Plasmodium species of the subgenus Laverania, one of which gave rise to human Plasmodium falciparum. Here we use a selective amplification strategy to sequence the genome of chimpanzee parasites classified as Plasmodium reichenowi and Plasmodium gaboni based on the subgenomic fragments. Genome-wide analyses show that these parasites indeed represent distinct species, with no evidence of cross-species mating. Both P. reichenowi and P. gaboni are 10-fold more diverse than P. falciparum, indicating a very recent origin of the human parasite. We also find a remarkable Laverania-specific expansion of a multigene family involved in erythrocyte remodelling, and show that a short region on chromosome 4, which encodes two essential invasion genes, was horizontally transferred into a recent P. falciparum ancestor. Our results validate the selective amplification strategy for characterizing cryptic pathogen species, and reveal evolutionary events that likely predisposed the precursor of P. falciparum to colonize humans. African apes harbour six Plasmodium species, one of which gave rise to the human malaria parasite. Here, Sundaraman et al. use selective whole-genome amplification to determine genome sequences from two chimpanzee Plasmodium species, shedding light on the evolutionary origin of the human parasite.
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Faust C, Dobson AP. Primate malarias: Diversity, distribution and insights for zoonotic Plasmodium. One Health 2015; 1:66-75. [PMID: 28616467 PMCID: PMC5441356 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoans within the genus Plasmodium are well-known as the causative agents of malaria in humans. Numerous Plasmodium species parasites also infect a wide range of non-human primate hosts in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Studying this diversity can provide critical insight into our understanding of human malarias, as several human malaria species are a result of host switches from non-human primates. Current spillover of a monkey malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi, in Southeast Asia highlights the permeability of species barriers in Plasmodium. Also recently, surveys of apes in Africa uncovered a previously undescribed diversity of Plasmodium in chimpanzees and gorillas. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to quantify the global distribution, host range, and diversity of known non-human primate malaria species. We used published records of Plasmodium parasites found in non-human primates to estimate the total diversity of non-human primate malarias globally. We estimate that at least three undescribed primate malaria species exist in sampled primates, and many more likely exist in unstudied species. The diversity of malaria parasites is especially uncertain in regions of low sampling such as Madagascar, and taxonomic groups such as African Old World Monkeys and gibbons. Presence-absence data of malaria across primates enables us to highlight the close association of forested regions and non-human primate malarias. This distribution potentially reflects a long coevolution of primates, forest-adapted mosquitoes, and malaria parasites. The diversity and distribution of primate malaria are an essential prerequisite to understanding the mechanisms and circumstances that allow Plasmodium to jump species barriers, both in the evolution of malaria parasites and current cases of spillover into humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Faust
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Howes RE, Reiner Jr. RC, Battle KE, Longbottom J, Mappin B, Ordanovich D, Tatem AJ, Drakeley C, Gething PW, Zimmerman PA, Smith DL, Hay SI. Plasmodium vivax Transmission in Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004222. [PMID: 26587988 PMCID: PMC4654493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa has historically been almost exclusively attributed to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). Current diagnostic and surveillance systems in much of sub-Saharan Africa are not designed to identify or report non-Pf human malaria infections accurately, resulting in a dearth of routine epidemiological data about their significance. The high prevalence of Duffy negativity provided a rationale for excluding the possibility of Plasmodium vivax (Pv) transmission. However, review of varied evidence sources including traveller infections, community prevalence surveys, local clinical case reports, entomological and serological studies contradicts this viewpoint. Here, these data reports are weighted in a unified framework to reflect the strength of evidence of indigenous Pv transmission in terms of diagnostic specificity, size of individual reports and corroboration between evidence sources. Direct evidence was reported from 21 of the 47 malaria-endemic countries studied, while 42 countries were attributed with infections of visiting travellers. Overall, moderate to conclusive evidence of transmission was available from 18 countries, distributed across all parts of the continent. Approximately 86.6 million Duffy positive hosts were at risk of infection in Africa in 2015. Analysis of the mechanisms sustaining Pv transmission across this continent of low frequency of susceptible hosts found that reports of Pv prevalence were consistent with transmission being potentially limited to Duffy positive populations. Finally, reports of apparent Duffy-independent transmission are discussed. While Pv is evidently not a major malaria parasite across most of sub-Saharan Africa, the evidence presented here highlights its widespread low-level endemicity. An increased awareness of Pv as a potential malaria parasite, coupled with policy shifts towards species-specific diagnostics and reporting, will allow a robust assessment of the public health significance of Pv, as well as the other neglected non-Pf parasites, which are currently invisible to most public health authorities in Africa, but which can cause severe clinical illness and require specific control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalind E. Howes
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Robert C. Reiner Jr.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Katherine E. Battle
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua Longbottom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie Mappin
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dariya Ordanovich
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Tatem
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Flowminder Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Malaria Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter W. Gething
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A. Zimmerman
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - David L. Smith
- Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Sanaria Institute for Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Simon I. Hay
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
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African origin of the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax. Nat Commun 2015; 5:3346. [PMID: 24557500 PMCID: PMC4089193 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the leading cause of human malaria in Asia and Latin America but is absent from most of central Africa due to the near fixation of a mutation that inhibits the expression of its receptor, the Duffy antigen, on human erythrocytes. The emergence of this protective allele is not understood because P. vivax is believed to have originated in Asia. Here we show, using a non-invasive approach, that wild chimpanzees and gorillas throughout central Africa are endemically infected with parasites that are closely related to human P. vivax. Sequence analyses reveal that ape parasites lack host specificity and are much more diverse than human parasites, which form a monophyletic lineage within the ape parasite radiation. These findings indicate that human P. vivax is of African origin and likely selected for the Duffy-negative mutation. All extant human P. vivax parasites are derived from a single ancestor that escaped out of Africa.
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Délicat-Loembet L, Rougeron V, Ollomo B, Arnathau C, Roche B, Elguero E, Moukodoum ND, Okougha AP, Mve Ondo B, Boundenga L, Houzé S, Galan M, Nkoghé D, Leroy EM, Durand P, Paupy C, Renaud F, Prugnolle F. No evidence for ape Plasmodium infections in humans in Gabon. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126933. [PMID: 26039338 PMCID: PMC4454650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
African great apes are naturally infected by a multitude of Plasmodium species most of them recently discovered, among which several are closely related to human malaria agents. However, it is still unknown whether these animals can serve as source of infections for humans living in their vicinity. To evaluate this possibility, we analysed the nature of Plasmodium infections from a bank of 4281 human blood samples collected in 210 villages of Gabon, Central Africa. Among them, 2255 were detected positive to Plasmodium using molecular methods (Plasmodium Cytochrome b amplification). A high throughput sequencing technology (454 GS-FLX Titanium technology, Roche) was then used to identify the Plasmodium species present within each positive sample. Overall, we identified with confidence only three species infecting humans in Gabon: P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale. None of the species known to infect non-human primates in Central Africa was found. Our study shows that ape Plasmodium parasites of the subgenus Laverania do not constitute a frequent source of infection for humans. It also suggests that some strong host genetic barriers must exist to prevent the cross species transmission of ape Plasmodium in a context of ever increasing contacts between humans and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucresse Délicat-Loembet
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
- * E-mail: (LDL); (VR); (FP)
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- * E-mail: (LDL); (VR); (FP)
| | - Benjamin Ollomo
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Céline Arnathau
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- CHRU de Montpellier, 39 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Unité de Modélisation Mathématique et Informatique des Systèmes Complexes (UMI IRD/UPMC 209), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 32 avenue Henr1 Varagnat, 93140, Bondy, France
| | - Eric Elguero
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | | | - Alain-Prince Okougha
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Bertrand Mve Ondo
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Larson Boundenga
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Sandrine Houzé
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75018, Paris, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 216 IRD, Université Paris Descartes, 12 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Galan
- INRA, UMR1062 CBGP, avenue du Campus Agropolis, 34980, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - Dieudonné Nkoghé
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Eric M. Leroy
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | - Patrick Durand
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- CHRU de Montpellier, 39 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Paupy
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | - François Renaud
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- CHRU de Montpellier, 39 Avenue Charles Flahault, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
- MIVEGEC (UMR CNRS/IRD/UM 5290), 911 avenue Agropolis, 34394, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
- * E-mail: (LDL); (VR); (FP)
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Laporta GZ, Burattini MN, Levy D, Fukuya LA, de Oliveira TMP, Maselli LMF, Conn JE, Massad E, Bydlowski SP, Sallum MAM. Plasmodium falciparum in the southeastern Atlantic forest: a challenge to the bromeliad-malaria paradigm? Malar J 2015; 14:181. [PMID: 25909655 PMCID: PMC4417526 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0680-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently an unexpectedly high prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was found in asymptomatic blood donors living in the southeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest. The bromeliad-malaria paradigm assumes that transmission of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae involves species of the subgenus Kerteszia of Anopheles and only a few cases of P. vivax malaria are reported annually in this region. The expectations of this paradigm are a low prevalence of P. vivax and a null prevalence of P. falciparum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify if P. falciparum is actively circulating in the southeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest remains. METHODS In this study, anophelines were collected with Shannon and CDC-light traps in seven distinct Atlantic forest landscapes over a 4-month period. Field-collected Anopheles mosquitoes were tested by real-time PCR assay in pools of ten, and then each mosquito from every positive pool, separately for P. falciparum and P. vivax. Genomic DNA of P. falciparum or P. vivax from positive anophelines was then amplified by traditional PCR for sequencing of the 18S ribosomal DNA to confirm Plasmodium species. Binomial probabilities were calculated to identify non-random results of the P. falciparum-infected anopheline findings. RESULTS The overall proportion of anophelines naturally infected with P. falciparum was 4.4% (21/480) and only 0.8% (4/480) with P. vivax. All of the infected mosquitoes were found in intermixed natural and human-modified environments and most were Anopheles cruzii (22/25 = 88%, 18 P. falciparum plus 4 P. vivax). Plasmodium falciparum was confirmed by sequencing in 76% (16/21) of positive mosquitoes, whereas P. vivax was confirmed in only 25% (1/4). Binomial probabilities suggest that P. falciparum actively circulates throughout the region and that there may be a threshold of the forested over human-modified environment ratio upon which the proportion of P. falciparum-infected anophelines increases significantly. CONCLUSIONS These results show that P. falciparum actively circulates, in higher proportion than P. vivax, among Anopheles mosquitoes of fragments of the southeastern Brazilian Atlantic forest. This finding challenges the classical bromeliad-malaria paradigm, which considers P. vivax circulation as the driver for the dynamics of residual malaria transmission in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Zorello Laporta
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 01246-904, Brazil. .,Laboratório de Informática Médica (LIM 01), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05405-000, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Nascimento Burattini
- Laboratório de Informática Médica (LIM 01), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05405-000, Brazil. .,Divisão de Doenças Infecciosas, Hospital São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 04024-002, Brazil.
| | - Debora Levy
- Laboratório de Genética e Hematologia Molecular (LIM 31), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Linah Akemi Fukuya
- Divisão de Pesquisa, Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | | | - Luciana Morganti Ferreira Maselli
- Laboratório de Genética e Hematologia Molecular (LIM 31), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil. .,Divisão de Pesquisa, Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Jan Evelyn Conn
- Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Slingerlands, NY, 12159, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York-Albany, Albany, NY, 12222, USA.
| | - Eduardo Massad
- Laboratório de Informática Médica (LIM 01), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05405-000, Brazil.
| | - Sergio Paulo Bydlowski
- Laboratório de Genética e Hematologia Molecular (LIM 31), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Maria Anice Mureb Sallum
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 01246-904, Brazil.
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Hoppe E, Pauly M, Gillespie TR, Akoua-Koffi C, Hohmann G, Fruth B, Karhemere S, Madinda NF, Mugisha L, Muyembe JJ, Todd A, Petrzelkova KJ, Gray M, Robbins M, Bergl RA, Wittig RM, Zuberbühler K, Boesch C, Schubert G, Leendertz FH, Ehlers B, Calvignac-Spencer S. Multiple Cross-Species Transmission Events of Human Adenoviruses (HAdV) during Hominine Evolution. Mol Biol Evol 2015; 32:2072-84. [PMID: 25862141 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human adenoviruses (HAdV; species HAdV-A to -G) are highly prevalent in the human population, and represent an important cause of morbidity and, to a lesser extent, mortality. Recent studies have identified close relatives of these viruses in African great apes, suggesting that some HAdV may be of zoonotic origin. We analyzed more than 800 fecal samples from wild African great apes and humans to further investigate the evolutionary history and zoonotic potential of hominine HAdV. HAdV-B and -E were frequently detected in wild gorillas (55%) and chimpanzees (25%), respectively. Bayesian ancestral host reconstruction under discrete diffusion models supported a gorilla and chimpanzee origin for these viral species. Host switches were relatively rare along HAdV evolution, with about ten events recorded in 4.5 My. Despite presumably rare direct contact between sympatric populations of the two species, transmission events from gorillas to chimpanzees were observed, suggesting that habitat and dietary overlap may lead to fecal-oral cross-hominine transmission of HAdV. Finally, we determined that two independent HAdV-B transmission events to humans occurred more than 100,000 years ago. We conclude that HAdV-B circulating in humans are of zoonotic origin and have probably affected global human health for most of our species lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Hoppe
- Division 12 "Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Viruses affecting immunocompromised patients", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maude Pauly
- Division 12 "Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Viruses affecting immunocompromised patients", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany Epidemiology of highly pathogenic microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Program in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
| | - Chantal Akoua-Koffi
- Centre de Recherche pour le Développement, Université Alassane Ouattara de Bouake, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Gottfried Hohmann
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Barbara Fruth
- Division of Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zooological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stomy Karhemere
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Nadège F Madinda
- Epidemiology of highly pathogenic microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Lawrence Mugisha
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda Conservation & Ecosystem Health Alliance (CEHA), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jean-Jacques Muyembe
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Angelique Todd
- World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Bangui, Central African Republic
| | - Klara J Petrzelkova
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic Liberec Zoo, Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Maryke Gray
- International Gorilla Conservation Program, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Martha Robbins
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Roman M Wittig
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Klaus Zuberbühler
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchatel, Neuchatel, Switzerland Budongo Conservation Field Station, Masindi, Uganda School of Psychology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Christophe Boesch
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Grit Schubert
- Epidemiology of highly pathogenic microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian H Leendertz
- Epidemiology of highly pathogenic microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ehlers
- Division 12 "Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Viruses affecting immunocompromised patients", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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40
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Boundenga L, Ollomo B, Rougeron V, Mouele LY, Mve-Ondo B, Delicat-Loembet LM, Moukodoum ND, Okouga AP, Arnathau C, Elguero E, Durand P, Liégeois F, Boué V, Motsch P, Le Flohic G, Ndoungouet A, Paupy C, Ba CT, Renaud F, Prugnolle F. Diversity of malaria parasites in great apes in Gabon. Malar J 2015; 14:111. [PMID: 25889049 PMCID: PMC4364493 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Until 2009, the Laverania subgenus counted only two representatives: Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium reichenowi. The recent development of non-invasive methods allowed re-exploration of plasmodial diversity in African apes. Although a large number of great ape populations have now been studied regarding Plasmodium infections in Africa, there are still vast areas of their distribution that remained unexplored. Gabon constitutes an important part of the range of western central African great ape subspecies (Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla gorilla), but has not been studied so far. In the present study, the diversity of Plasmodium species circulating in great apes in Gabon was analysed. Methods The analysis of 1,261 faecal samples from 791 chimpanzees and 470 gorillas collected from 24 sites all over Gabon was performed. Plasmodium infections were characterized by amplification and sequencing of a portion of the Plasmodium cytochrome b gene. Results The analysis of the 1,261 samples revealed that at least six Plasmodium species circulate in great apes in Gabon (Plasmodium praefalciparum, Plasmodium gorA (syn Plasmodium adleri), Plasmodium gorB (syn Plasmodium blacklocki) in gorillas and Plasmodium gaboni, P. reichenowi and Plasmodium billcollinsi in chimpanzees). No new phylogenetic lineages were discovered. The average infection rate was 21.3% for gorillas and 15.4% for chimpanzees. A logistic regression showed that the probability of infection was significantly dependent on the freshness of the droppings but not of the host species or of the average pluviometry of the months of collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larson Boundenga
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon. .,Laboratoire d'Écologie et Biologie évolutive, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, BP5005, Sénégal.
| | - Benjamin Ollomo
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Virginie Rougeron
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon. .,MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Lauriane Yacka Mouele
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Bertrand Mve-Ondo
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | | | | | - Alain Prince Okouga
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Céline Arnathau
- MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Eric Elguero
- MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Patrick Durand
- MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Florian Liégeois
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon. .,TransVIHMI (Recherche Translationnelle sur le VIH et les Maladies Infectieuses), UMI 233, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) and Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Vanina Boué
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Peggy Motsch
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Guillaume Le Flohic
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Alphonse Ndoungouet
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon.
| | - Christophe Paupy
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon. .,MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Cheikh Tidiane Ba
- Laboratoire d'Écologie et Biologie évolutive, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, BP5005, Sénégal.
| | - Francois Renaud
- MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, BP 769, Franceville-Gabon, Gabon. .,MIVEGEC (Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), UMR CNRS 5290 / IRD 224, Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France.
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Ecology of malaria infections in western lowland gorillas inhabiting Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. Parasitology 2015; 142:890-900. [PMID: 25736484 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182015000086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
African great apes are susceptible to infections with several species of Plasmodium, including the predecessor of Plasmodium falciparum. Little is known about the ecology of these pathogens in gorillas. A total of 131 gorilla fecal samples were collected from Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas to study the diversity and prevalence of Plasmodium species. The effects of sex and age as factors influencing levels of infection with Plasmodium in habituated gorilla groups were assessed. Ninety-five human blood samples from the same locality were also analysed to test for cross-transmission between humans and gorillas. According to a cytB PCR assay 32% of gorilla's fecal samples and 43·1% human individuals were infected with Plasmodium spp. All Laverania species, Plasmodium vivax, and for the first time Plasmodium ovale were identified from gorilla samples. Plasmodium praefalciparum was present only from habituated individuals and P. falciparum was detected from human samples. Although few P. vivax and P. ovale sequences were obtained from gorillas, the evidence for cross-species transmission between humans and gorillas requires more in depth analysis. No association was found between malaria infection and sex, however, younger individuals aged ≤6 years were more susceptible. Switching between two different Plasmodium spp. was observed in three individuals. Prolonged monitoring of Plasmodium infection during various seasons and recording behavioural data is necessary to draw a precise picture about the infection dynamics.
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Wijayalath W, Majji S, Villasante EF, Brumeanu TD, Richie TL, Casares S. Humanized HLA-DR4.RagKO.IL2RγcKO.NOD (DRAG) mice sustain the complex vertebrate life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Malar J 2014; 13:386. [PMID: 25266106 PMCID: PMC4197321 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is a deadly infectious disease affecting millions of people in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Among the five species of Plasmodium parasites that infect humans, Plasmodium falciparum accounts for the highest morbidity and mortality associated with malaria. Since humans are the only natural hosts for P. falciparum, the lack of convenient animal models has hindered the understanding of disease pathogenesis and prompted the need of testing anti-malarial drugs and vaccines directly in human trials. Humanized mice hosting human cells represent new pre-clinical models for infectious diseases that affect only humans. In this study, the ability of human-immune-system humanized HLA-DR4.RagKO.IL2RγcKO.NOD (DRAG) mice to sustain infection with P. falciparum was explored. Methods Four week-old DRAG mice were infused with HLA-matched human haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and examined for reconstitution of human liver cells and erythrocytes. Upon challenge with infectious P. falciparum sporozoites (NF54 strain) humanized DRAG mice were examined for liver stage infection, blood stage infection, and transmission to Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Results Humanized DRAG mice reconstituted human hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, liver endothelial cells, and erythrocytes. Upon intravenous challenge with P. falciparum sporozoites, DRAG mice sustained liver to blood stage infection (average 3–5 parasites/microlitre blood) and allowed transmission to An. stephensi mosquitoes. Infected DRAG mice elicited antibody and cellular responses to the blood stage parasites and self-cured the infection by day 45 post-challenge. Conclusions DRAG mice represent the first human-immune-system humanized mouse model that sustains the complex vertebrate life cycle of P. falciparum without the need of exogenous injection of human hepatocytes/erythrocytes or P. falciparum parasite adaptation. The ability of DRAG mice to elicit specific human immune responses to P. falciparum parasites may help deciphering immune correlates of protection and to identify protective malaria antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sofia Casares
- US Military Malaria Vaccine Program, Naval Medical Research Center/Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
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Keita MB, Hamad I, Bittar F. Looking in apes as a source of human pathogens. Microb Pathog 2014; 77:149-54. [PMID: 25220240 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Because of the close genetic relatedness between apes and humans, apes are susceptible to many human infectious agents and can serve as carriers of these pathogens. Consequently, they present a serious health hazard to humans. Moreover, many emerging infectious diseases originate in wildlife and continue to threaten human populations, especially vector-borne diseases described in great apes, such as malaria and rickettsiosis. These wild primates may be permanent reservoirs and important sources of human pathogens. In this special issue, we report that apes, including chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), bonobos (Pan paniscus), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii), gibbons (Hylobates spp., Hoolock spp. and Nomascus spp) and siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus syndactylus and Symphalangus continentis), have many bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic species that are capable of infecting humans. Serious measures should be adopted in tropical forests and sub-tropical areas where habitat overlaps are frequent to survey and prevent infectious diseases from spreading from apes to people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamadou B Keita
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Ibrahim Hamad
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Fadi Bittar
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, 13005 Marseille, France.
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Otto TD, Rayner JC, Böhme U, Pain A, Spottiswoode N, Sanders M, Quail M, Ollomo B, Renaud F, Thomas AW, Prugnolle F, Conway DJ, Newbold C, Berriman M. Genome sequencing of chimpanzee malaria parasites reveals possible pathways of adaptation to human hosts. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4754. [PMID: 25203297 PMCID: PMC4166903 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum causes most human malaria deaths, having prehistorically evolved from parasites of African Great Apes. Here we explore the genomic basis of P. falciparum adaptation to human hosts by fully sequencing the genome of the closely related chimpanzee parasite species P. reichenowi, and obtaining partial sequence data from a more distantly related chimpanzee parasite (P. gaboni). The close relationship between P. reichenowi and P. falciparum is emphasized by almost complete conservation of genomic synteny, but against this strikingly conserved background we observe major differences at loci involved in erythrocyte invasion. The organization of most virulence-associated multigene families, including the hypervariable var genes, is broadly conserved, but P. falciparum has a smaller subset of rif and stevor genes whose products are expressed on the infected erythrocyte surface. Genome-wide analysis identifies other loci under recent positive selection, but a limited number of changes at the host-parasite interface may have mediated host switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D. Otto
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ulrike Böhme
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Arnab Pain
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Natasha Spottiswoode
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Mandy Sanders
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Michael Quail
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Benjamin Ollomo
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
| | - François Renaud
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 5290 CNRS-IRD-UMI-UMII, IRD, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Alan W. Thomas
- Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Department of Parasitology, 2280 GH Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Franck Prugnolle
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, CIRMF, BP 769 Franceville, Gabon
- Laboratoire MIVEGEC, UMR 5290 CNRS-IRD-UMI-UMII, IRD, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - David J. Conway
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Chris Newbold
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- These authors contributed equally to this work
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Ramasamy R. Zoonotic malaria - global overview and research and policy needs. Front Public Health 2014; 2:123. [PMID: 25184118 PMCID: PMC4135302 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The four main Plasmodium species that cause human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale, are transmitted between humans by mosquito vectors belonging to the genus Anopheles. It has recently become evident that Plasmodium knowlesi, a parasite that typically infects forest macaque monkeys, can be transmitted by anophelines to cause malaria in humans in Southeast Asia. Plasmodium knowlesi infections are frequently misdiagnosed microscopically as P. malariae. Direct human to human transmission of P. knowlesi by anophelines has not yet been established to occur in nature. Knowlesi malaria must therefore be presently considered a zoonotic disease. Polymerase chain reaction is now the definitive method for differentiating P. knowlesi from P. malariae and other human malaria parasites. The origin of P. falciparum and P. vivax in African apes are examples of ancient zoonoses that may be continuing at the present time with at least P. vivax, and possibly P. malariae and P. ovale. Other non-human primate malaria species, e.g., Plasmodium cynomolgi in Southeast Asia and Plasmodium brasilianum and Plasmodium simium in South America, can be transmitted to humans by mosquito vectors further emphasizing the potential for continuing zoonoses. The potential for zoonosis is influenced by human habitation and behavior as well as the adaptive capabilities of parasites and vectors. There is insufficient knowledge of the bionomics of Anopheles vector populations relevant to the cross-species transfer of malaria parasites and the real extent of malaria zoonoses. Appropriate strategies, based on more research, need to be developed for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of zoonotic malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjan Ramasamy
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
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Culleton RL, Abkallo HM. Malaria parasite genetics: doing something useful. Parasitol Int 2014; 64:244-53. [PMID: 25073068 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Genetics has informed almost every aspect of the study of malaria parasites, and remains a key component of much of the research that aims to reduce the burden of the disease they cause. We describe the history of genetic studies of malaria parasites and give an overview of the utility of the discipline to malariology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Culleton
- Malaria Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
| | - Hussein M Abkallo
- Malaria Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Harper KN, Armelagos GJ. Genomics, the origins of agriculture, and our changing microbe-scape: time to revisit some old tales and tell some new ones. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2013; 152 Suppl 57:135-52. [PMID: 24249593 PMCID: PMC7159788 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Though agriculture is often viewed as one of humanity's crowning achievements, skeletal evidence indicates that dependence on domesticated plants and animals was accompanied by an increase in infectious disease. Scientists have proposed that many important infections emerged in the period following the advent of agriculture, as a result of newly dense populations and novel proximity to domestic animals that served as reservoirs for novel pathogens. Here, we review genomic evidence regarding pathogen origins, analyzing these data using the epidemiological transition framework. Genetic information has forced us to reconsider how and when many important pathogens emerged; it appears that a number of infections thought to result from contact with domesticated animals arose much earlier than agriculture was adopted. We also consider the broader effect of agriculture upon the microbiome, exploring potential consequences for human health. We end by discussing the changes in the human microbe-scape we are likely to see in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin N Harper
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032
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Pacheco MA, Cranfield M, Cameron K, Escalante AA. Malarial parasite diversity in chimpanzees: the value of comparative approaches to ascertain the evolution of Plasmodium falciparum antigens. Malar J 2013; 12:328. [PMID: 24044371 PMCID: PMC3848613 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum shares its most recent common ancestor with parasites found in African apes; these species constitute the so-called Laverania clade. In this investigation, the evolutionary history of Plasmodium lineages found in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) was explored. METHODS Here, the remainders of 74 blood samples collected as part of the chimpanzees' routine health examinations were studied. For all positive samples with parasite lineages belonging to the Laverania clade, the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), the gene encoding dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (dhfr-ts), the chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), the circumsporozoite protein (csp), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2), and the DBL-1 domain from var2CSA were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Other Plasmodium species were included in the mtDNA, dhfr-ts, and csp analyses. Phylogenetic and evolutionary genetic analyses were performed, including molecular clock analyses on the mtDNA. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Nine chimpanzees were malaria positive (12.2%); four of those infections were identified as P. falciparum, two as a Plasmodium reichenowi-like parasite or Plasmodium sp., one as Plasmodium gaboni, and two as Plasmodium malariae. All P. falciparum isolates were resistant to chloroquine indicating that the chimpanzees acquired such infections from humans in recent times. Such findings, however, are not sufficient for implicating chimpanzees as an animal reservoir for P. falciparum.Timing estimates support that the Laverania clade has co-existed with hominids for a long-period of time. The proposed species P. gaboni, Plasmodium billbrayi, and Plasmodium billcollinsi are monophyletic groups supporting that they are indeed different species.An expanded CSP phylogeny is presented, including all the Laverania species and other malarial parasites. Contrasting with other Plasmodium, the Laverania csp exhibits great conservation at the central tandem repeat region. Msp2 and var2CSA, however, show extended recent polymorphism in P. falciparum that likely originated after the P. reichenowi-P. falciparum split. The accumulation of such diversity may indicate adaptation to the human host. These examples support the notion that comparative approaches among P. falciparum and its related species will be of great value in understanding the evolution of proteins that are important in parasite invasion of the human red blood cell, as well as those involved in malaria pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Andreína Pacheco
- Center for Evolutionary Medicine and Informatics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA.
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