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Neog S, Vinjamuri SR, Vijayan K, Kumar S, Trivedi V. NDV targets the invasion pathway in malaria parasite through cell surface sialic acid interaction. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23856. [PMID: 39092913 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400004rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Merozoites utilize sialic acids on the red blood cell (RBC) cell surface to rapidly adhere to and invade the RBCs. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) displays a strong affinity toward membrane-bound sialic acids. Incubation of NDV with the malaria parasites dose-dependently reduces its cellular viability. The antiplasmodial activity of NDV is specific, as incubation with Japanese encephalitis virus, duck enteritis virus, infectious bronchitis virus, and influenza virus did not affect the parasite propagation. Interestingly, NDV is reducing more than 80% invasion when RBCs are pretreated with the virus. Removal of the RBC surface proteins or the NDV coat proteins results in disruption of the virus binding to RBC. It suggests the involvement of specific protein: ligand interaction in virus binding. We established that the virus engages with the parasitized RBCs (PRBCs) through its hemagglutinin neuraminidase (HN) protein by recognizing sialic acid-containing glycoproteins on the cell surface. Blocking of the HN protein with free sialic acid or anti-HN antibodies abolished the virus binding as well as its ability to reduce parasite growth. Interestingly, the purified HN from the virus alone could inhibit the parasite's growth in a dose-dependent manner. NDV binds strongly to knobless murine parasite strain Plasmodium yoelii and restricted the parasite growth in mice. Furthermore, the virus was found to preferentially target the PRBCs compared to normal erythrocytes. Immunolocalization studies reveal that NDV is localized on the plasma membrane as well as weakly inside the PRBC. NDV causes neither any infection nor aggregation of the human RBCs. Our findings suggest that NDV is a potential candidate for developing targeted drug delivery platforms for the Plasmodium-infected RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Neog
- Malaria Research Group, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, Guwahati, India
| | - Sandeep Reddy Vinjamuri
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Kamalakannan Vijayan
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Viral Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, Guwahati, India
| | - Vishal Trivedi
- Malaria Research Group, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati, Guwahati, India
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Ahorhorlu SY, Quashie NB, Jensen RW, Kudzi W, Nartey ET, Duah-Quashie NO, Zoiku F, Dzudzor B, Wang CW, Hansson H, Alifrangis M, Adjei GO. Assessment of artemisinin tolerance in Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates in children with uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Malar J 2023; 22:58. [PMID: 36803541 PMCID: PMC9938975 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04482-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Artemisinin (ART) tolerance in Plasmodium falciparum has arisen in Southeast Asia and recently, in parts of East Africa. This is ascribed to the survival of ring-stage parasites post treatment. The present study sought to assess and characterize correlates of potential ART tolerance based on post-treatment parasite clearance, ex vivo and in vitro drug sensitivity, and molecular markers of drug resistance in P. falciparum isolates from children with uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. METHODS Six months to fourteen years old children presenting with acute uncomplicated malaria (n = 115) were enrolled in two hospitals and a Health Centre in Ghana's Greater Accra region and treated with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) according to body weight. Pre- and post-treatment parasitaemia (day 0 and day 3) was confirmed by microscopy. The ex vivo ring-stage survival assay (RSA) was used to detect percent ring survival while the 72 h SYBR Green I assay was used to measure the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50s) of ART and its derivatives and partner drugs. Genetic markers of drug tolerance /resistance were evaluated using selective whole genome sequencing. RESULTS Of the total of 115 participants, 85 were successfully followed up on day 3 post-treatment and 2/85 (2.4%) had parasitaemia. The IC50 values of ART, artesunate (AS), artemether (AM), dihydroartemisinin (DHA), amodiaquine (AQ), and lumefantrine (LUM) were not indicative of drug tolerance. However, 7/90 (7.8%) pre-treatment isolates had > 10% ring survival rates against DHA. Of the four isolates (2 RSA positive and 2 RSA negative) with high genomic coverage, P. falciparum (Pf) kelch 13 K188* and Pfcoronin V424I mutations were only present in the two RSA positive isolates with > 10% ring survival rates. CONCLUSIONS The observed low proportion of participants with day-3 post-treatment parasitaemia is consistent with rapid ART clearance. However, the increased rates of survival observed in the ex vivo RSA against DHA, maybe a pointer of an early start of ART tolerance. Furthermore, the role of two novel mutations in PfK13 and Pfcoronin genes, harboured by the two RSA positive isolates that had high ring survival in the present study, remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Yao Ahorhorlu
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana ,grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Neils Ben Quashie
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana ,grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Rasmus Weisel Jensen
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XCentre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - William Kudzi
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana
| | - Edmund Tetteh Nartey
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nancy Odurowah Duah-Quashie
- grid.462644.60000 0004 0452 2500Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana ,grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Felix Zoiku
- grid.462644.60000 0004 0452 2500Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bartholomew Dzudzor
- grid.8652.90000 0004 1937 1485Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Christian William Wang
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XCentre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helle Hansson
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XCentre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Alifrangis
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XCentre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.475435.4Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - George Obeng Adjei
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, P.O. Box 4236, Accra, Ghana.
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Assessment of the Antimalarial Treatment Failure in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria. J Xenobiot 2023; 13:16-26. [PMID: 36648839 PMCID: PMC9844335 DOI: 10.3390/jox13010003] [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: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The fight against malaria is a continuum as the epidemic is not abating. For proper deployment of tools in the fight against malaria, an assessment of the situation is necessary. This work assessed the level of antimalarial drug treatment failure in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Both survey and in vitro analyses were adopted. The survey was used to obtain qualitative information from both the malaria subjects and the pharmacies where antimalarial drugs are sourced. The results from the survey were complemented by an in vitro assay of the level of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the commonly used artemisinin combination in Nigeria; artemether/lumefantrine. Results from the survey revealed that artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) remain the mainstay in the treatment of malaria, even though other non-artemisinin drugs are still used. It also revealed that many patients still self-medicate, although, this may not be connected to the treatment failure seen among some malaria subjects. The in vitro assay showed that ACT contains the right quantity of APIs. Further surveillance is, therefore, necessary to understand the real cause of treatment failure among malaria subjects in Nigeria.
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Memvanga PB, Nkanga CI. Liposomes for malaria management: the evolution from 1980 to 2020. Malar J 2021; 20:327. [PMID: 34315484 PMCID: PMC8313885 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases and the foremost cause of morbidity in the tropical regions of the world. Strategies for the efficient management of this parasitic infection include adequate treatment with anti-malarial therapeutics and vaccination. However, the emergence and spread of resistant strains of malaria parasites to the majority of presently used anti-malarial medications, on the other hand, complicates malaria treatment. Other shortcomings of anti-malarial drugs include poor aqueous solubility, low permeability, poor bioavailability, and non-specific targeting of intracellular parasites, resulting in high dose requirements and toxic side effects. To address these limitations, liposome-based nanotechnology has been extensively explored as a new solution in malaria management. Liposome technology improves anti-malarial drug encapsulation, bioavailability, target delivery, and controlled release, resulting in increased effectiveness, reduced resistance progression, and fewer adverse effects. Furthermore, liposomes are exploited as immunological adjuvants and antigen carriers to boost the preventive effectiveness of malaria vaccine candidates. The present review discusses the findings from studies conducted over the last 40 years (1980-2020) using in vitro and in vivo settings to assess the prophylactic and curative anti-malarial potential of liposomes containing anti-malarial agents or antigens. This paper and the discussion herein provide a useful resource for further complementary investigations and may pave the way for the research and development of several available and affordable anti-malarial-based liposomes and liposomal malaria vaccines by allowing a thorough evaluation of liposomes developed to date for the management of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Memvanga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 212, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
| | - Christian I Nkanga
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 212, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Duong MC, Pham OKN, Nguyen PT, Nguyen VVC, Nguyen PH. Predictors of treatment failures of plasmodium falciparum malaria in Vietnam: a 4-year single-centre retrospective study. Malar J 2021; 20:205. [PMID: 33926479 PMCID: PMC8082636 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Drug-resistant falciparum malaria is an increasing public health burden. This study examined the magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum infection and the patterns and predictors of treatment failure in Vietnam. Methods Medical records of all 443 patients with malaria infection admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases between January 2015 and December 2018 were used to extract information on demographics, risk factors, symptoms, laboratory tests, treatment, and outcome. Results More than half (59.8%, 265/443, CI 55.1–64.4%) of patients acquired Plasmodium falciparum infection of whom 21.9% (58/265, CI 17.1–27.4%) had severe malaria, while 7.2% (19/265, CI 4.6–10.9%) and 19.2% (51/265, CI 14.7–24.5%) developed early treatment failure (ETF) and late treatment failure (LTF) respectively. Among 58 patients with severe malaria, 14 (24.1%) acquired infection in regions where artemisinin resistance has been documented including Binh Phuoc (11 patients), Dak Nong (2 patients) and Gia Lai (1 patient). Under treatment with intravenous artesunate, the median (IQR) parasite half-life of 11 patients coming from Binh Phuoc was 3 h (2.3 to 8.3 h), two patients coming from Dak Nong was 2.8 and 5.7 h, and a patient coming from Gia Lai was 6.5 h. Most patients (98.5%, 261/265) recovered completely. Four patients with severe malaria died. Severe malaria was statistically associated with receiving treatment at previous hospitals (P < 0.001), hepatomegaly (P < 0.001) and number of inpatient days (P < 0.001). Having severe malaria was a predictor of ETF (AOR 6.96, CI 2.55–19.02, P < 0.001). No predictor of LTF was identified. Conclusions Plasmodium falciparum remains the prevalent malaria parasite. Despite low mortality rate, severe malaria is not rare and is a significant predictor of ETF. To reduce the risk for ETF, studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of combination therapy including parenteral artesunate and a parenteral partner drug for severe malaria. The study alerts the possibility of drug-resistant malaria in Africa and other areas in Vietnam, which are known as non-endemic areas of anti-malarial drug resistance. A more comprehensive study using molecular technique in these regions is required to completely understand the magnitude of drug-resistant malaria and to design appropriate control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Cuong Duong
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Phu Hoan Nguyen
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. .,Medical School, Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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Hemming-Schroeder E, Umukoro E, Lo E, Fung B, Tomás-Domingo P, Zhou G, Zhong D, Dixit A, Atieli H, Githeko A, Vardo-Zalik A, Yan G. Impacts of Antimalarial Drugs on Plasmodium falciparum Drug Resistance Markers, Western Kenya, 2003-2015. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:692-699. [PMID: 29363453 PMCID: PMC5930917 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimalarial drug resistance has threatened global malaria control since chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium falciparum emerged in Asia in the 1950s. Understanding the impacts of changing antimalarial drug policy on resistance is critical for resistance management. Plasmodium falciparum isolates were collected from 2003 to 2015 in western Kenya and analyzed for genetic markers associated with resistance to CQ (Pfcrt), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) (Pfdhfr/Pfdhps), and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) (PfKelch13/Pfmdr1) antimalarials. In addition, household antimalarial drug use surveys were administered. Pfcrt 76T prevalence decreased from 76% to 6% from 2003 to 2015. Pfdhfr/Pfdhps quintuple mutants decreased from 70% in 2003 to 14% in 2008, but increased to near fixation by 2015. SP "super resistant" alleles Pfdhps 581G and 613S/T were not detected in the 2015 samples that were assessed. The Pfmdr1 N86-184F-D1246 haplotype associated with decreased lumefantrine susceptibility increased significantly from 4% in 2005 to 51% in 2015. No PfKelch13 mutations that have been previously associated with artemisinin resistance were detected in the study populations. The increase in Pfdhfr/Pfdhps quintuple mutants that associates with SP resistance may have resulted from the increased usage of SP for intermittent preventative therapy in pregnancy (IPTp) and for malaria treatment in the community. Prevalent Pfdhfr/Pfdhps mutations call for careful monitoring of SP resistance and effectiveness of the current IPTp program in Kenya. In addition, the commonly occurring Pfmdr1 N86-184F-D1246 haplotype associated with increased lumefantrine tolerance calls for surveillance of AL efficacy in Kenya, as well as consideration for a rotating artemisinin-combination therapy regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Becky Fung
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, California
| | | | - Guofa Zhou
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Amruta Dixit
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Harrysone Atieli
- Centre for Vector Biology and Control Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Andrew Githeko
- Centre for Vector Biology and Control Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, California
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Beyene HB, Beyene MB, Ebstie YA, Desalegn Z. Efficacy of Chloroquine for the Treatment of Vivax malaria in Northwest Ethiopia. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161483. [PMID: 27579480 PMCID: PMC5007045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Resistance to anti-malarials is a major challenge for effective malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. This triggered a need for routine monitoring of the efficacy of the antimalarial drugs every two years in all malaria endemic countries. Chloroquine remained the drug of choice for the treatment of vivax malaria in Ethiopia. Though, a strong scientific evidence of chloroquine resistance to P.vivax that could have brought change of treatment regimen is yet to be established in Ethiopia, continuous and regular monitoring of drug’s efficacy is critical for establishing rational anti-malarial drug policies. This study therefore, assessed the therapeutic efficacy of Chloroquine (CQ) for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax infections in Northwestern Ethiopia. Methods An observational, 28- day therapeutic clinical efficacy study was conducted from August to December, 2014, in Northwest Ethiopia. Patients confirmed to have monoinfection of vivax malaria, aged above 6 months were included. All subjects were treated with standard chloroquine dose of 25 mg/kg for three (3) days. Parasitological and clinical outcomes of treated patients were then evaluated on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 during the entire 28-day follow-up period. A portable spectrophotometer (HemoCue Hb 301 System, Sweden) was used to estimate hemoglobin concentration. Results A total of 69 subjects had completed follow up. Some 57/69 (82.6%) had fever at enrolment and the rest 12 patients 48 hours before enrollment. Out of total, 65/69 (94.2%) and 66/69 (95.6%) of the study subjects were free of fever by day 1 and day 2 respectively but fever was cleared in all subjects by day 3. At base line the mean asexual parasitemia was 3540 parasites/μL of blood. Parasite carriage on day 3 was 3%. The overall cure rate (an adequate and clinical parasitological response) was very high (97%) [(95% CI = 93.1–99.4)]. The time to parasite, fever and gametocyte clearance as expressed in mean (SD) was 35 (3), 25 (4.6), 28 (3.2) hours respectively. Mean hemoglobin was significantly increased (P<0.001) from 12.2 (7–15) g/dl at day 0 to 13.3 (10–16) g/dl on day 28. Conclusions In view of our findings, CQ remains efficacious for the treatment of vivax malaria in the study area. However, there is a need to monitor CQR regularly using molecular and or biochemical tools for better evaluation of treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habtamu Bedimo Beyene
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Melkamu Bedimo Beyene
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Yehenew Asmamaw Ebstie
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zelalem Desalegn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Dahal P, d'Alessandro U, Dorsey G, Guerin PJ, Nsanzabana C, Price RN, Sibley CH, Stepniewska K, Talisuna AO. Clinical determinants of early parasitological response to ACTs in African patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria: a literature review and meta-analysis of individual patient data. BMC Med 2015; 13:212. [PMID: 26343145 PMCID: PMC4561425 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-015-0445-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum has emerged in the Greater Mekong sub-region and poses a major global public health threat. Slow parasite clearance is a key clinical manifestation of reduced susceptibility to artemisinin. This study was designed to establish the baseline values for clearance in patients from Sub-Saharan African countries with uncomplicated malaria treated with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). METHODS A literature review in PubMed was conducted in March 2013 to identify all prospective clinical trials (uncontrolled trials, controlled trials and randomized controlled trials), including ACTs conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, between 1960 and 2012. Individual patient data from these studies were shared with the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) and pooled using an a priori statistical analytical plan. Factors affecting early parasitological response were investigated using logistic regression with study sites fitted as a random effect. The risk of bias in included studies was evaluated based on study design, methodology and missing data. RESULTS In total, 29,493 patients from 84 clinical trials were included in the analysis, treated with artemether-lumefantrine (n = 13,664), artesunate-amodiaquine (n = 11,337) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (n = 4,492). The overall parasite clearance rate was rapid. The parasite positivity rate (PPR) decreased from 59.7 % (95 % CI: 54.5-64.9) on day 1 to 6.7 % (95 % CI: 4.8-8.7) on day 2 and 0.9 % (95 % CI: 0.5-1.2) on day 3. The 95th percentile of observed day 3 PPR was 5.3 %. Independent risk factors predictive of day 3 positivity were: high baseline parasitaemia (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.16 (95 % CI: 1.08-1.25); per 2-fold increase in parasite density, P <0.001); fever (>37.5 °C) (AOR = 1.50 (95 % CI: 1.06-2.13), P = 0.022); severe anaemia (AOR = 2.04 (95 % CI: 1.21-3.44), P = 0.008); areas of low/moderate transmission setting (AOR = 2.71 (95 % CI: 1.38-5.36), P = 0.004); and treatment with the loose formulation of artesunate-amodiaquine (AOR = 2.27 (95 % CI: 1.14-4.51), P = 0.020, compared to dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine). CONCLUSIONS The three ACTs assessed in this analysis continue to achieve rapid early parasitological clearance across the sites assessed in Sub-Saharan Africa. A threshold of 5 % day 3 parasite positivity from a minimum sample size of 50 patients provides a more sensitive benchmark in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to the current recommended threshold of 10 % to trigger further investigation of artemisinin susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prabin Dahal
- WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN); Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
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Djimde AA, Makanga M, Kuhen K, Hamed K. The emerging threat of artemisinin resistance in malaria: focus on artemether-lumefantrine. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2015; 13:1031-45. [PMID: 26081265 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.1052793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The development of artemisinin resistance in the Greater Mekong Subregion poses a significant threat to malaria elimination. Artemisinin-based combination therapies including artemether-lumefantrine (AL) are recommended by WHO as first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. This article provides a comprehensive review of the existing and latest data as a basis for interpretation of observed variability in parasite sensitivity to AL over the last 5 years. Clinical efficacy and preclinical data from a range of endemic countries are summarized, including potential molecular markers of resistance. Overall, AL remains effective in the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in most regions. Establishing validated molecular markers for resistance and strict efficacy monitoring will reinforce timely updates of treatment policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoulaye A Djimde
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
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Shayo A, Buza J, Ishengoma DS. Monitoring of efficacy and safety of artemisinin-based anti-malarials for treatment of uncomplicated malaria: a review of evidence of implementation of anti-malarial therapeutic efficacy trials in Tanzania. Malar J 2015; 14:135. [PMID: 25889242 PMCID: PMC4415202 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0649-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are considered the cornerstones of malaria control and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is currently the main anti-malarial drugs used for case management. After deployment of ACT due to widespread parasite resistance to the cheap and widely used anti-malarial drugs, chloroquine and sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, the World Health Organization recommends regular surveillance to monitor the efficacy of the new drugs. The present paper assessed the implementation of anti-malarial efficacy testing for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of ACT for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania before and after policy changes in 2006. METHODS A literature search was performed for published clinical trials conducted in Tanzania from 2001 to 2014. It focused on studies which assessed at least one form of ACT for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children less than 10 years and reported efficacy and safety of the tested anti-malarials. References were imported into the Endnote library and duplicates removed. An electronic matrix was developed in Microsoft Excel followed by full text review with predetermined criteria. Studies were independently assessed and information related to ACT efficacy and safety extracted. RESULTS Nine papers were selected from 125 papers screened. The efficacy of both artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and artesunate-amodiaquine (AS + AQ) against uncomplicated P. falciparum infections in Tanzania was high with PCR-corrected cure rates on day 28 of 91-100% and 88-93.8%, respectively. The highest day-3 parasite positivity rate was 1.4%. Adverse events ranged from mild to serious but were not directly attributed to the drugs. CONCLUSION ACT is efficacious and safe for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania. However, few trials were conducted in Tanzania before and after policy changes in 2006 and thus more surveillance should be urgently undertaken to detect future changes in parasite sensitivity to ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Shayo
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
| | - Joram Buza
- The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
| | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, P.O Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania.
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Pollitt LC, Sim D, Salathé R, Read AF. Understanding genetic variation in in vivo tolerance to artesunate: implications for treatment efficacy and resistance monitoring. Evol Appl 2014; 8:296-304. [PMID: 25861387 PMCID: PMC4380923 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin-based drugs are the front-line weapon in the treatment of human malaria cases, but there is concern that recent reports of slow clearing infections may signal developing resistance to treatment. In the absence of molecular markers for resistance, current efforts to monitor drug efficacy are based on the rate at which parasites are cleared from infections. However, some knowledge of the standing variation in parasite susceptibility is needed to identify a meaningful increase in infection half-life. Here, we show that five previously unexposed genotypes of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi differ substantially in their in vivo response to treatment. Slower clearance rates were not linked to parasite virulence or growth rate, going against the suggestion that drug treatment will drive the evolution of virulence in this system. The level of variation observed here in a relatively small number of genotypes suggests existing ‘resistant’ parasites could be present in the population and therefore, increased parasite clearance rates could represent selection on pre-existing variation rather than de novo resistance events. This has implications for resistance monitoring as susceptibility may depend on evolved traits unrelated to drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Pollitt
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA ; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, UK
| | - Derek Sim
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA
| | - Rahel Salathé
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA
| | - Andrew F Read
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA ; Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, USA ; Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD, USA
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Makanga M. A review of the effects of artemether-lumefantrine on gametocyte carriage and disease transmission. Malar J 2014; 13:291. [PMID: 25069530 PMCID: PMC4126813 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While significant advances have been made in the prevention and treatment of malaria in recent years, these successes continue to fall short of the World Health Organization (WHO) goals for malaria control and elimination. For elimination strategies to be effective, limited disease transmission, achieved through rapid reduction in the infectious parasite reservoir and decreased gametocyte carriage, will be critical. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) forms the cornerstone of WHO-recommended treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and in combination with other effective interventions will undoubtedly play a vital role in elimination programmes. The gametocytocidal properties of artemisinins are a bonus attribute; there is epidemiological evidence of reductions in malaria incidence and transmission in African regions since the introduction of these agents. Many studies and analyses have specifically investigated the effects of the ACT, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) on gametocyte carriage. In this systematic review of 62 articles published between 1998 and January 2014, the effects of AL on gametocyte carriage and malaria transmission are compared with other artemisinin-based anti-malarials and non-ACT. The impact of AL treatment of asymptomatic carriers on population gametocyte carriage, and the potential future role of AL in malaria elimination initiatives are also considered. Despite the inherent difficulties in comparing data from a range of different studies that also utilized different diagnostic approaches to assess baseline gametocyte counts, the gametocytocidal effect of AL was proportionately consistent across the studies reviewed, suggesting that AL will continue to play a vital role in the treatment of malaria and contribute to clearing the path towards malaria elimination. However, the specific place of AL is the subject of much ongoing research and will undoubtedly be dependent on different demographic and geographical scenarios. Utilizing ACT, such as AL, within malaria elimination strategies is also associated with a number of other challenges, such as balancing potential increased use of ACT (e g, treatment of asymptomatic carriers and home-based treatment) with rational use and avoidance of drug resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Makanga
- European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), PO Box 19070, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Pollitt LC, Huijben S, Sim DG, Salathé RM, Jones MJ, Read AF. Rapid response to selection, competitive release and increased transmission potential of artesunate-selected Plasmodium chabaudi malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004019. [PMID: 24763470 PMCID: PMC3999151 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of drug resistance, a key challenge for our ability to treat and control infections, depends on two processes: de-novo resistance mutations, and the selection for and spread of resistant mutants within a population. Understanding the factors influencing the rates of these two processes is essential for maximizing the useful lifespan of drugs and, therefore, effective disease control. For malaria parasites, artemisinin-based drugs are the frontline weapons in the fight against disease, but reports from the field of slower parasite clearance rates during drug treatment are generating concern that the useful lifespan of these drugs may be limited. Whether slower clearance rates represent true resistance, and how this provides a selective advantage for parasites is uncertain. Here, we show that Plasmodium chabaudi malaria parasites selected for resistance to artesunate (an artemisinin derivative) through a step-wise increase in drug dose evolved slower clearance rates extremely rapidly. In single infections, these slower clearance rates, similar to those seen in the field, provided fitness advantages to the parasite through increased overall density, recrudescence after treatment and increased transmission potential. In mixed infections, removal of susceptible parasites by drug treatment led to substantial increases in the densities and transmission potential of resistant parasites (competitive release). Our results demonstrate the double-edged sword for resistance management: in our initial selection experiments, no parasites survived aggressive chemotherapy, but after selection, the fitness advantage for resistant parasites was greatest at high drug doses. Aggressive treatment of mixed infections resulted in resistant parasites dominating the pool of gametocytes, without providing additional health benefits to hosts. Slower clearance rates can evolve rapidly and can provide a strong fitness advantage during drug treatment in both single and mixed strain infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. Pollitt
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Centre for Immunology, Infection and Evolution, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Silvie Huijben
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Derek G. Sim
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rahel M. Salathé
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Jones
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andrew F. Read
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Plasmodium vivax chloroquine resistance and anemia in the western Brazilian Amazon. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2013; 58:342-7. [PMID: 24165179 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02279-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium vivax in Latin America is limited, even with the current research efforts to sustain an efficient malaria control program in all these countries where P. vivax is endemic and where malaria still is a major public health issue. This study estimated in vivo CQ resistance in patients with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria, with use of CQ and primaquine simultaneously, in the Brazilian Amazon. Of a total of 135 enrolled subjects who accomplished the 28-day follow-up, parasitological failure was observed in 7 (5.2%) patients, in whom plasma CQ and desethylchloroquine (DCQ) concentrations were above 100 ng/dl. Univariate analysis showed that previous exposure to malaria and a higher initial mean parasitemia were associated with resistance but not with age or gender. In the multivariate analysis, only high initial parasitemia remained significant. Hemoglobin levels were similar at the beginning of the follow-up and were not associated with parasitemia. However, at day 3 and day 7, hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients presenting CQ resistance. The P. vivax dhfr (pvdhfr), pvmrp1, pvmdr1, and pvdhps gene mutations were not related to resistance in this small sample. P. vivax CQ resistance is already a problem in the Brazilian Amazon, which could be to some extent associated with the simultaneous report of anemia triggered by this parasite, a common complication of the disease in most of the areas of endemicity.
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Kay K, Hastings IM. Improving pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling to investigate anti-infective chemotherapy with application to the current generation of antimalarial drugs. PLoS Comput Biol 2013; 9:e1003151. [PMID: 23874190 PMCID: PMC3715401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanism-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling is the standard computational technique for simulating drug treatment of infectious diseases with the potential to enhance our understanding of drug treatment outcomes, drug deployment strategies, and dosing regimens. Standard methodologies assume only a single drug is used, it acts only in its unconverted form, and that oral drugs are instantaneously absorbed across the gut wall to their site of action. For drugs with short half-lives, this absorption period accounts for a significant period of their time in the body. Treatment of infectious diseases often uses combination therapies, so we refined and substantially extended the PK/PD methodologies to incorporate (i) time lags and drug concentration profiles resulting from absorption across the gut wall and, if required, conversion to another active form; (ii) multiple drugs within a treatment combination; (iii) differing modes of action of drugs in the combination: additive, synergistic, antagonistic; (iv) drugs converted to an active metabolite with a similar mode of action. This methodology was applied to a case study of two first-line malaria treatments based on artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs, artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-mefloquine) where the likelihood of increased artemisinin tolerance/resistance has led to speculation on their continued long-term effectiveness. We note previous estimates of artemisinin kill rate were underestimated by a factor of seven, both the unconverted and converted form of the artemisinins kill parasites and the extended PK/PD methodology produced results consistent with field observations. The simulations predict that a potentially rapid decline in ACT effectiveness is likely to occur as artemisinin resistance spreads, emphasising the importance of containing the spread of artemisinin resistance before it results in widespread drug failure. We found that PK/PD data is generally very poorly reported in the malaria literature, severely reducing its value for subsequent re-application, and we make specific recommendations to improve this situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Kay
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine combination in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria among children under five years of age in three ecological zones in Ghana. Malar J 2012; 11:388. [PMID: 23173737 PMCID: PMC3519607 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2008, artemether - lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin - piperaquine (DHAP) were added to artesunate - amodiaquine (AS-AQ) as first-line drugs for uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. The introduction of new drugs calls for continuous monitoring of these drugs to provide timely information on trends of their efficacy and safety to enhance timely evidence-based decision making by the National Malaria Control Programme. In this regard, the therapeutic efficacy of AL was monitored from September 2010 to April 2011 in four sentinel sites representing the three main ecological zones of the country. Methods The study was a one-arm prospective evaluation of clinical and parasitological responses to directly observed treatment for uncomplicated malaria among children aged 6 months to 59 months using the 2009 WHO protocol for surveillance of anti-malarial drug efficacy. Children recruited into the study received weight-based 20/120 mg AL at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hrs. Parasitaemia levels were assessed on days 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and at any time a study child was brought to the clinic with fever. Results A total of 175 children were enrolled into the study: 56 in the savanna zone, 78 in the forest zone and 41 in the coastal zone. Per-protocol analysis showed that the overall PCR-corrected cure rates on day 14 and day 28 were 96.5% (95% CI: 92.1, 98.6) and 95.4% (95% CI: 90.3, 98.0), respectively, with statistically significant differences between the ecological zones. The 90.4% day-28 cure rate observed in the savannah zone (95% CI: 78.2, 96.4) was significantly the lowest compared with 100% (95% CI: 93.2, 99.9) in the forest zone and 93.8% (95% CI: 77.8, 98.9) in the coastal zone (P = 0.017). Fever and parasite clearance were slower among children enrolled in the savannah zone. Gametocytaemia after day-3 post-treatment was rare in all the zones. Conclusions The study has shown that AL remains efficacious in Ghana with significant ecologic zonal differences. The savannah zone may be a potential zone for any emergence of resistant alleles as a result of the slower parasite clearance observed in the zone.
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Maiga AW, Fofana B, Sagara I, Dembele D, Dara A, Traore OB, Toure S, Sanogo K, Dama S, Sidibe B, Kone A, Thera MA, Plowe CV, Doumbo OK, Djimde AA. No evidence of delayed parasite clearance after oral artesunate treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Mali. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012; 87:23-8. [PMID: 22764287 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinins by delayed parasite clearance is present in Southeast Asia. Scant data on parasite clearance after artemisinins are available from Africa, where transmission is high, burden is greatest, and artemisinin use is being scaled up. Children 1-10 years of age with uncomplicated malaria were treated with 7 days of artesunate and followed for 28 days. Blood smears were done every 8 hours until negative by light microscopy. Results were compared with a similar study conducted in the same village in 2002-2004. The polymerase chain reaction-corrected cure rate was 100%, identical to 2002-2004. By 24 hours after treatment initiation, 37.0% of participants had cleared parasitemia, compared with 31.9% in 2002-2004 (P = 0.5). The median parasite clearance time was 32 hours. Only one participant still had parasites at 48 hours and no participant presented parasitemia at 72 hours. Artesunate was highly efficacious, with no evidence of delayed parasite clearance. We provide baseline surveillance data for the emergence or dissemination of P. falciparum resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia W Maiga
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Odonto-stomatology, University of Bamako, Mali.
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Vijaykadga S, Alker AP, Satimai W, MacArthur JR, Meshnick SR, Wongsrichanalai C. Delayed Plasmodium falciparum clearance following artesunate-mefloquine combination therapy in Thailand, 1997-2007. Malar J 2012; 11:296. [PMID: 22929382 PMCID: PMC3478203 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is concern that artesunate resistance is developing in Southeast Asia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of parasitaemia in the few days following treatment with artesunate-mefloquine (AM), which is an indirect measure of decreased artesunate susceptibility. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 31 therapeutic efficacy studies involving 1,327 patients treated with AM conducted by the Thai National Malaria Control Programme from 1997–2007. Results The prevalence of patients with parasitaemia on day 2 was higher in the east compared to the west (east: 20%, west: 9%, OR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.77, 3.45). In addition, the prevalence of day-2 parasitaemia increased over time (OR for each year = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.19). After controlling for initial parasitaemia and age, year and region remained important determinants of day-2 parasitaemia (OR for region = 3.98, 95%CI 2.63, 6.00; OR for year = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.39). The presence of parasitaemia on day 2 and day 3 were specific, but not sensitive predictors of treatment failure. Discussion Delayed resolution of parasitaemia after AM treatment increased in eastern Thailand between 1997 and 2007, which may be an early manifestation of decreased artesunate susceptibility. However, clinical and parasitological treatment failure after 28 days (which is related to both mefloquine and artesunate decreased susceptibility) is not changing over time. The presence of parasitaemia on day 2 is a poor indicator of AM 28-day treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saowanit Vijaykadga
- Bureau of Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
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Sowunmi A, Okuboyejo TM, Gbotosho GO, Happi CT. Risk factors for Plasmodium falciparum hyperparasitaemia in malarious children. BMC Infect Dis 2011; 11:268. [PMID: 21982211 PMCID: PMC3199259 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-11-268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 10/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hyperparasitaemia is a feature of childhood severe malaria but there is little information on the risk factors for hyperparasitaemia in malarious children Methods The risk factors associated with Plasmodium falciparum hyperparasitaemia, defined as asexual parasitaemia > 250,000/μl, at presentation were evaluated in 3338 malarious children enrolled prospectively between 2008 and 2010 in an endemic area of southwestern Nigeria. Results At enrolment, 97 (3%) of 3338 malarious children had hyperparasitaemia. In a multiple regression model, 3 factors were found to be independent risk factors for the presence of hyperparasitaemia at enrolment: an age ≤ 11 years (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-6.61, P = 0.014), fever (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.23-3.29, P = 0.005), and enrolment after year 2008 (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.24-0.73, P = 0.002). Duration of illness ≤ 3 d was associated with increased risk of hyperparasitaemia. There was no association between season and hyperparasitaemia. Compared to non-hyperparasitaemia, hyperparasitaemia was associated with an increased risk of progression to cerebral malaria (P < 0.0001). The risk of progression in hyperparasitaemic children was higher in < 5-year olds (P = 0.02). Conclusion Young age and presence of fever are independent risk factors for hyperparasitaemia which is associated with an increased risk of progression to cerebral malaria. The findings have implications for case and community management of childhood hyperparasitaemia and for malaria control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa where severe malaria is relatively common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akintunde Sowunmi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute for Medical Research and Training, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
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Recrudescent Plasmodium falciparum infections in children in an endemic area following artemisinin–based combination treatments: Implications for disease control. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(11)60027-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Gbotosho GO, Sowunmi A, Happi CT, Okuboyejo TM. Therapeutic efficacies of artemisinin-based combination therapies in Nigerian children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria during five years of adoption as first-line treatments. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2011; 84:936-43. [PMID: 21633031 PMCID: PMC3110368 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacies of 3-day regimens of artesunate-amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine during 5 years of adoption as first-line treatments were evaluated in 811 ≤ 12-year-old malarious children. Compared with artemether-lumefantrine, amodiaquine-artesunate significantly reduced the proportion of children with fever and parasitemia 1 day after treatment (day 1; P < 0.008 for both). The proportion of parasitemic children on day 2 and gametocytemia on presentation and carriage reduced significantly over the years (P < 0.000001 and P < 0.03, respectively; test for trend). Overall efficacy was 96.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 94.5-98.6) and remained unchanged over the years (P = 0.87; test for trend). Kinetics of parasitemias after treatments were estimated by a non-compartmental model. Declines of parasitemias were monoexponential, with a mean elimination half-life of 1.09 hours (95% CI = 1.0-1.16). Parasitemia half-lives and efficacy were similar for both regimens and in all ages. Artesunate-amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine remain efficacious treatments of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Nigerian children 5 years after adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace O Gbotosho
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and Institute for Medical Research and Training, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
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Plasmodium falciparum hyperparasitaemia in Nigerian children: epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic responses to oral artemisinin-based combination treatments. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(11)60043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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