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Milong Melong CS, Peloewetse E, Russo G, Tamgue O, Tchoumbougnang F, Paganotti GM. An overview of artemisinin-resistant malaria and associated Pfk13 gene mutations in Central Africa. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:277. [PMID: 39023630 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08301-2] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is one of the deadliest and most common tropical infectious diseases. However, the emergence of artemisinin drug resistance associated with the parasite's Pfk13 gene, threatens the public health of individual countries as well as current efforts to reduce malaria burdens globally. It is of concern that artemisinin-resistant parasites may be selected or have already emerged in Africa. This narrative review aims to evaluate the published evidence concerning validated, candidate, and novel Pfk13 polymorphisms in ten Central African countries. Results show that four validated non-synonymous polymorphisms (M476I, R539T, P553L, and P574L), directly associated with a delayed therapy response, have been reported in the region. Also, two Pfk13 polymorphisms associated to artemisinin resistance but not validated (C469F and P527H) have been reported. Furthermore, several non-validated mutations have been observed in Central Africa, and one allele A578S, is commonly found in different countries, although additional molecular and biochemical studies are needed to investigate whether those mutations alter artemisinin effects. This information is discussed in the context of biochemical and genetic aspects of Pfk13, and related to the regional malaria epidemiology of Central African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sabine Milong Melong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
- Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, P.O. Box 45498, Gaborone, Riverwalk, Botswana
| | - Elias Peloewetse
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Botswana, Private Bag, 0022, Gaborone, UB, Botswana
| | - Gianluca Russo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.Le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ousman Tamgue
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Francois Tchoumbougnang
- Department of Processing and Quality Control of Aquatic Products, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Douala, P.O. Box 7236, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Giacomo Maria Paganotti
- Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, P.O. Box 45498, Gaborone, Riverwalk, Botswana.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Dorkenoo AM, Warsame M, Ataba E, Hemou M, Yakpa K, Sossou E, Mitigmsagou M, Teou CD, Caspar E, Ma L, Djadou KE, Atcha-Oubou T, Rasmussen C, Menard D. Efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and prevalence of molecular markers of anti-malarial drug resistance in children in Togo in 2021. Malar J 2024; 23:92. [PMID: 38570791 PMCID: PMC10988893 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04922-1] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) are the currently recommended first- and second-line therapies for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections in Togo. This study assessed the efficacy of these combinations, the proportion of Day3-positive patients (D3 +), the proportion of molecular markers associated with P. falciparum resistance to anti-malarial drugs, and the variable performance of HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). METHODS A single arm prospective study evaluating the efficacy of AL and DP was conducted at two sites (Kouvé and Anié) from September 2021 to January 2022. Eligible children were enrolled, randomly assigned to treatment at each site and followed up for 42 days after treatment initiation. The primary endpoint was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) adjusted adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR). At day 0, samples were analysed for mutations in the Pfkelch13, Pfcrt, Pfmdr-1, dhfr, dhps, and deletions in the hrp2/hrp3 genes. RESULTS A total of 179 and 178 children were included in the AL and DP groups, respectively. After PCR correction, cure rates of patients treated with AL were 97.5% (91.4-99.7) at day 28 in Kouvé and 98.6% (92.4-100) in Anié, whereas 96.4% (CI 95%: 89.1-98.8) and 97.3% (CI 95%: 89.5-99.3) were observed at day 42 in Kouvé and Anié, respectively. The cure rates of patients treated with DP at day 42 were 98.9% (CI 95%: 92.1-99.8) in Kouvé and 100% in Anié. The proportion of patients with parasites on day 3 (D3 +) was 8.5% in AL and 2.6% in DP groups in Anié and 4.3% in AL and 2.1% DP groups in Kouvé. Of the 357 day 0 samples, 99.2% carried the Pfkelch13 wild-type allele. Two isolates carried nonsynonymous mutations not known to be associated with artemisinin partial resistance (ART-R) (A578S and A557S). Most samples carried the Pfcrt wild-type allele (97.2%). The most common Pfmdr-1 allele was the single mutant 184F (75.6%). Among dhfr/dhps mutations, the quintuple mutant haplotype N51I/C59R/S108N + 437G/540E, which is responsible for SP treatment failure in adults and children, was not detected. Single deletions in hrp2 and hrp3 genes were detected in 1/357 (0.3%) and 1/357 (0.3%), respectively. Dual hrp2/hrp3 deletions, which could affect the performances of HRP2-based RDTs, were not observed. CONCLUSION The results of this study confirm that the AL and DP treatments are highly effective. The absence of the validated Pfkelch13 mutants in the study areas suggests the absence of ART -R, although a significant proportion of D3 + cases were found. The absence of dhfr/dhps quintuple or sextuple mutants (quintuple + 581G) supports the continued use of SP for IPTp during pregnancy and in combination with amodiaquine for seasonal malaria chemoprevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN12623000344695.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marian Warsame
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Essoham Ataba
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Lomé, Togo
| | - Manani Hemou
- Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Campus, Lomé, Togo
| | - Kossi Yakpa
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Lomé, Togo
| | - Efoe Sossou
- Service des Laboratoires, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | | | | | - Emmanuelle Caspar
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, Université de Strasbourg, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurence Ma
- Biomics Platform, C2RT, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Didier Menard
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, Université de Strasbourg, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1201, 75015, Paris, France
- Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, CHU Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
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Rajendran V, Naveen NC. Identifying Fast and Slow-Acting Antimalarial Compounds of Pandemic Response Box Against Blood-Stage Culture of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:81. [PMID: 38289473 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The evolving clinical resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and the spike in malarial cases after the COVID-19 outbreak has triggered a search for new antimalarials effective against multi-drug-resistant P. falciparum strains. In this study, we assessed the timing of action, either fast or slow-acting of 13 potent compounds of Pandemic Response Box (PRB) against blood-stage Pf3D7 strain by SYBR Green-I assay. The asynchronous culture of Pf3D7 was exposed to varying concentrations of 13 compounds, and IC50 values were determined at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. We identified four fast-acting compounds (MMV000008, MMV1593541, MMV020752, MMV396785) with rapid-growth inhibitory activity having IC50 values ≤ 0.3 µM at 12 and 24 h. Similarly, we determined nine slow-acting compounds (MMV159340, MMV1634492, MMV1581558, MMV689758, MMV1593540, MMV394033, MMV019724, MMV000725, MMV1557856) having IC50 values ≤ 0.5 µM at 72 and 96 h. Furthermore, the stage-specific action of the two most potent fast-acting compounds (MMV1593541 and MMV020752) against rings, trophozoites, and schizonts at 48 h of exposure revealed that ring-stage parasites showed reduced IC50 values compared to mature stage forms. Therefore, our study demonstrates for the first time the identification of the most potent fast and slow-acting compounds from PRB against blood-stage infection, suggesting its utility in clinics and considering it as a partner drug in combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinoth Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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Issa MS, Warsame M, Mahamat MHT, Saleh IDM, Boulotigam K, Djimrassengar H, Issa AH, Abdelkader O, Hassoumi M, Djimadoum M, Doderer-Lang C, Ndihiokubwayo JB, Rasmussen C, Menard D. Therapeutic efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Chad: clinical and genetic surveillance. Malar J 2023; 22:240. [PMID: 37612601 PMCID: PMC10464190 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04644-w] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) are the currently recommended first-and second-line therapies for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections in Chad. This study assessed the efficacy of these artemisinin-based combinations, proportion of day 3 positive patients, proportions of molecular markers associated with P. falciparum resistance to anti-malarial drugs and variable performance of HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). METHODS A single-arm prospective study assessing the efficacy of AS-AQ and AL at three sites (Doba, Kelo and Koyom) was conducted between November 2020 to January 2021. Febrile children aged 6 to 59 months with confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum infection were enrolled sequentially first to AS-AQ and then AL at each site and followed up for 28 days. The primary endpoint was PCR-adjusted adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR). Samples collected on day 0 were analysed for mutations in pfkelch13, pfcrt, pfmdr-1, pfdhfr, pfdhps genes and deletions in pfhrp2/pfhrp3 genes. RESULTS By the end of 28-day follow-up, per-protocol PCR corrected ACPR of 97.8% (CI 95% 88.2-100) in Kelo and 100% in Doba and Kayoma were observed among AL treated patients. For ASAQ, 100% ACPR was found in all sites. All, but one patient, did not have parasites detected on day 3. Out of the 215 day 0 samples, 96.7% showed pfkelch13 wild type allele. Seven isolates carried nonsynonymous mutations not known to be associated artemisinin partial resistance (ART-R). Most of samples had a pfcrt wild type allele (79% to 89%). The most prevalent pfmdr-1 allele detected was the single mutant 184F (51.2%). For pfdhfr and pfdhps mutations, the quintuple mutant allele N51I/C59R/S108N + G437A/540E responsible for SP treatment failures in adults and children was not detected. Single deletion in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene were detected in 10/215 (4.7%) and 2/215 (0.9%), respectively. Dual pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions, potentially threatening the efficacy of HRP2-based RDTs, were observed in 5/215 (2.3%) isolates. CONCLUSION The results of this study confirm that AS-AQ and AL treatments are highly efficacious in study areas in Chad. The absence of known pfkelch13 mutations in the study sites and the high parasite clearance rate at day 3 suggest the absence of ART-R. The absence of pfdhfr/pfdhps quintuple or sextuple (quintuple + 581G) mutant supports the continued use of SP for IPTp during pregnancy. The presence of parasites with dual pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions, potentially threatening the efficacy of HRP2-based RDTs, warrants the continued surveillance. Trial registration ACTRN12622001476729.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marian Warsame
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | - Ali Haggar Issa
- Ecole Nationale des Agents Sanitaires et Sociaux (ENASS), N'Djamena, Chad
| | | | | | - Mbanga Djimadoum
- Faculty of Science and Human Health, University of N'Djamena, N'Djamena, Chad
| | - Cécile Doderer-Lang
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Didier Menard
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, UR7292 Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interactions, Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
- Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015, Paris, France
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, CHU Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
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