1
|
Ngasala BE, Chiduo MG, Mmbando BP, Francis FT, Bushukatale S, Makene T, Mandara CI, Ishengoma DS, Kamugisha E, Ahmed M, Mahende MK, Kavishe RA, Muro F, Molteni F, Reaves E, Kitojo C, Greer G, Nyinondi S, Kabula B, Lalji S, Chacky F, Njau RJ, Warsame M, Mohamed A. Efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in mainland Tanzania, 2019. Malar J 2024; 23:101. [PMID: 38594679 PMCID: PMC11005286 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04931-0] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been a major contributor to the substantial reductions in global malaria morbidity and mortality over the last decade. In Tanzania, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) was introduced as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 2006. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends regular assessment and monitoring of the efficacy of the first-line treatment, specifically considering that artemisinin resistance has been confirmed in the Greater Mekong sub-region. This study's main aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of AL for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Tanzania. METHODS This was a single-arm prospective antimalarial drug efficacy trial conducted in four of the eight National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) sentinel sites in 2019. The trial was carried out in outpatient health facilities in Karume-Mwanza region, Ipinda-Mbeya region, Simbo-Tabora region, and Nagaga-Mtwara region. Children aged six months to 10 years with microscopy confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria who met the inclusion criteria were recruited based on the WHO protocol. The children received AL (a 6-dose regimen of AL twice daily for three days). Clinical and parasitological parameters were monitored during follow-up over 28 days to evaluate drug efficacy. RESULTS A total of 628 children were screened for uncomplicated malaria, and 349 (55.6%) were enrolled between May and September 2019. Of the enrolled children, 343 (98.3%) completed the 28-day follow-up or attained the treatment outcomes. There were no early treatment failures; recurrent infections during follow-up were common at two sites (Karume 29.5%; Simbo 18.2%). PCR-corrected adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) by survival analysis to AL on day 28 of follow-up varied from 97.7% at Karume to 100% at Ipinda and Nagaga sites. The commonly reported adverse events were cough, skin pallor, and abdominal pain. The drug was well tolerated, and no serious adverse event was reported. CONCLUSION This study showed that AL had adequate efficacy and safety for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Tanzania in 2019. The high recurrent infections were mainly due to new infections, highlighting the potential role of introducing alternative artemisinin-based combinations that offer improved post-treatment prophylaxis, such as artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Billy E Ngasala
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Mercy G Chiduo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Bruno P Mmbando
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Filbert T Francis
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Samwel Bushukatale
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Twilumba Makene
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Headquarters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Maimuna Ahmed
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | - Reginald A Kavishe
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Florida Muro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Erik Reaves
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chonge Kitojo
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - George Greer
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Program, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ritha J Njau
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Program, Dodoma, Tanzania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ngasala B, Bushukatale S, Chiduo M, Makene T, Mkony L, Mohamed A, Molteni F, Chacky F, Njau RJA, Mwaiswelo R. Efficacy of artesunate-amodiaquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in mainland Tanzania. Malar J 2024; 23:90. [PMID: 38553737 PMCID: PMC10979577 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04923-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diversification of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is suggested as one of the strategies that can be used to contain artemisinin resistance. Artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) is one of the artemisinin-based combinations that can be used in the diversification strategy as an alternative first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in mainland Tanzania. There is however limited data on the efficacy of ASAQ in mainland Tanzania. This study assessed the efficacy of ASAQ for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in selected sentinel sites for therapeutic efficacy studies in mainland Tanzania. METHODS Between December 2018 and March 2020, children aged between 6 months and 10 years, attending at Nagaga, Mkuzi, and Mlimba primary health facilities, and with suspected uncomplicated malaria infection were screened for eligibility to participate in the study. Malaria infection was screened using microscopy. Children with uncomplicated P. falciparum monoinfection and who fulfilled all other inclusion criteria, and had none of the exclusion criteria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, were treated with ASAQ. Follow-up visits were scheduled on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 or on any day of recurrent infection for clinical and laboratory assessment. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-corrected cure rate on day 28 was the primary outcome. RESULTS A total of 264 children, 88 in each of the three study sites (Mlimba, Mkuzi and Nagaga health facilities) were enrolled and treated with ASAQ. The ASAQ PCR-corrected cure rate was 100% at all the three study sites. None of the participants had early treatment failure or late clinical failure. Furthermore, none of the participants had a serious adverse event. CONCLUSION ASAQ was highly efficacious for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in mainland Tanzania, therefore, it can be deployed as an alternative first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria as part of diversification strategy to contain the spread of partial artemisinin resistance in the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Billy Ngasala
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Samwel Bushukatale
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mercy Chiduo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, P.O Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Twilumba Makene
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Lilian Mkony
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 743, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Fablizio Molteni
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 743, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 743, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ritha J A Njau
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65011, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Richard Mwaiswelo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, P.O Box 65300, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ishengoma DS, Mandara CI, Madebe RA, Warsame M, Ngasala B, Kabanywanyi AM, Mahende MK, Kamugisha E, Kavishe RA, Muro F, Mandike R, Mkude S, Chacky F, Njau R, Martin T, Mohamed A, Bailey JA, Fola AA. Microsatellites reveal high polymorphism and high potential for use in anti-malarial efficacy studies in areas with different transmission intensities in mainland Tanzania. Malar J 2024; 23:79. [PMID: 38491359 PMCID: PMC10943981 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04901-6] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tanzania is currently implementing therapeutic efficacy studies (TES) in areas of varying malaria transmission intensities as per the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. In TES, distinguishing reinfection from recrudescence is critical for the determination of anti-malarial efficacy. Recently, the WHO recommended genotyping polymorphic coding genes, merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 (msp1 and msp2), and replacing the glutamate-rich protein (glurp) gene with one of the highly polymorphic microsatellites in Plasmodium falciparum to adjust the efficacy of antimalarials in TES. This study assessed the polymorphisms of six neutral microsatellite markers and their potential use in TES, which is routinely performed in Tanzania. METHODS Plasmodium falciparum samples were obtained from four TES sentinel sites, Kibaha (Pwani), Mkuzi (Tanga), Mlimba (Morogoro) and Ujiji (Kigoma), between April and September 2016. Parasite genomic DNA was extracted from dried blood spots on filter papers using commercial kits. Genotyping was done using six microsatellites (Poly-α, PfPK2, TA1, C3M69, C2M34 and M2490) by capillary method, and the data were analysed to determine the extent of their polymorphisms and genetic diversity at the four sites. RESULTS Overall, 83 (88.3%) of the 94 samples were successfully genotyped (with positive results for ≥ 50.0% of the markers), and > 50.0% of the samples (range = 47.6-59.1%) were polyclonal, with a mean multiplicity of infection (MOI) ranging from 1.68 to 1.88 among the four sites. There was high genetic diversity but limited variability among the four sites based on mean allelic richness (RS = 7.48, range = 7.27-8.03, for an adjusted minimum sample size of 18 per site) and mean expected heterozygosity (He = 0.83, range = 0.80-0.85). Cluster analysis of haplotypes using STRUCTURE, principal component analysis, and pairwise genetic differentiation (FST) did not reveal population structure or clustering of parasites according to geographic origin. Of the six markers, Poly-α was the most polymorphic, followed by C2M34, TA1 and C3M69, while M2490 was the least polymorphic. CONCLUSION Microsatellite genotyping revealed high polyclonality and genetic diversity but no significant population structure. Poly-α, C2M34, TA1 and C3M69 were the most polymorphic markers, and Poly-α alone or with any of the other three markers could be adopted for use in TES in Tanzania.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rashid A Madebe
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Billy Ngasala
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Bugando Medical Centre, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Reginald A Kavishe
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Florida Muro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Renata Mandike
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Sigsbert Mkude
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ritha Njau
- Malariologist and Public Health Specialist, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Troy Martin
- HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Centre, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Jeffrey A Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Abebe A Fola
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ishengoma DS, Mandara CI, Bakari C, Fola AA, Madebe RA, Seth MD, Francis F, Buguzi C, Moshi R, Garimo I, Lazaro S, Lusasi A, Aaron S, Chacky F, Mohamed A, Njau RJA, Kitau J, Rasmussen C, Bailey JA, Juliano JJ, Warsame M. Evidence of artemisinin partial resistance in North-western Tanzania: clinical and drug resistance markers study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.31.24301954. [PMID: 38352311 PMCID: PMC10863006 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.31.24301954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the recommended antimalarial drugs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. The recent emergence of artemisinin partial resistance (ART-R) in Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea is of great concern. In Tanzania, a nationwide molecular malaria surveillance in 2021 showed a high prevalence of the Kelch13 (K13) 561H mutation in Plasmodium falciparum from the north-western region, close to the border with Rwanda and Uganda. This study was conducted in 2022 to evaluate the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria and to confirm the presence of ART-R in Tanzania. Methods This single-arm study evaluated the efficacy of AL and ASAQ in eligible children aged six months to 10 years at Bukangara Dispensary in Karagwe District, Kagera Region. Clinical and parasitological responses were monitored for 28 days according to standard WHO protocol. Mutations in K13 gene and extended haplotypes with these mutations were analysed using Sanger and whole genome sequencing data, respectively. Findings 176 children (88 in each AL and ASAQ group) were enrolled and all achieved the defined outcomes. PCR-corrected adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) was 98.3% (95% CI: 90.8-100) and 100.0% (95% CI: 95.8-100) for AL and ASAQ, respectively. Parasitaemia on day 3 was observed in 11/88 (12.5%) and 17/88 (19.3%) in the AL and ASAQ groups, respectively. The half-life of parasitaemia was significantly higher (>6.5 hrs) in patients with parasitaemia on day 3 and/or mutations in K13 gene at enrolment. Most patients with parasitaemia on day 3 (8/11 = 72.7% in the AL group and 10/17 = 58.8% in the ASAQ group) had 561H mutation at enrolment. The parasites with K13 mutations were not similar to those from south-east Asia and Rwanda, but had the same core haplotype of a new 561H haplotype reported in Kagera in 2021. Interpretation These findings confirm the presence of ART-R in Tanzania. A context-specific strategy to respond to artemisinin partial resistance is urgently needed. Although both AL and ASAQ showed high efficacy, increased vigilance for reduced efficacy of these ACTs and detection of ART-R in other parts of the country is critical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deus S. Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry, Kampala International University in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Catherine Bakari
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Abebe A. Fola
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rashid A. Madebe
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Misago D. Seth
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Filbert Francis
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Creyton Buguzi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ramadhan Moshi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Issa Garimo
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Samwel Lazaro
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | - Sijenunu Aaron
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Frank Chacky
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Ritha J. A. Njau
- Malariologist and Public Health Specialist, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Public Health and Social Sciences Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jovin Kitau
- World Health Organization Country Office, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Jeffrey A. Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Marian Warsame
- Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Benadir University, Mogadishu, Somalia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Koko VS, Warsame M, Vonhm B, Jeuronlon MK, Menard D, Ma L, Taweh F, Tehmeh L, Nyansaiye P, Pratt OJ, Parwon S, Kamara P, Asinya M, Kollie A, Ringwald P. Artesunate-amodiaquine and artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Liberia: in vivo efficacy and frequency of molecular markers. Malar J 2022; 21:134. [PMID: 35477399 PMCID: PMC9044686 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04140-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Artesunate–amodiaquine (ASAQ) and Artemether–lumefantrine (AL) are the recommended treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Liberia. Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine is also recommended for pregnant women. The therapeutic efficacy of Artesunate–amodiaquine and Artemether–lumefantrine, and the frequency of molecular markers associated with anti-malarial drug resistance were investigated. Methods The therapeutic efficacy of ASAQ and AL was evaluated using the standard World Health Organization protocol (WHO. Methods for Surveillance of Antimalarial Drug Efficacy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. https://www.who.int/malaria/publications/atoz/9789241597531/en/). Eligible children were recruited and monitored clinically and parasitologically for 28 days. Polymorphisms in the Pfkelch 13, chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), multidrug resistance 1 (Pfmdr-1), dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), and dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) genes and copy number variations in the plasmepsin-2 (Pfpm2) gene were assessed in pretreatment samples. Results Of the 359 children enrolled, 180 were treated with ASAQ (89 in Saclepea and 91 in Bensonville) and 179 with AL (90 in Sinje and 89 in Kakata). Of the recruited children, 332 (92.5%) reached study endpoints. PCR-corrected per-protocol analysis showed ACPR of 90.2% (95% CI: 78.6–96.7%) in Bensonville and 92.7% (95% CI: 83.4.8–96.5%) in Saclepea for ASAQ, while ACPR of 100% was observed in Kakata and Sinje for AL. In both treatment groups, only two patients had parasites on day 3. No artemisinin resistance associated Pfkelch13 mutations or multiple copies of Pfpm2 were found. Most samples tested had the Pfcrt 76 T mutation (80/91, 87.9%), while the Pfmdr-1 86Y (40/91, 44%) and 184F (47/91, 51.6%) mutations were less frequent. The Pfdhfr triple mutant (51I/59R/108 N) was the predominant allele (49.2%). For the Pfdhps gene, it was the 540E mutant (16.0%), and the 436A mutant (14.3%). The quintuple allele (51I/59R/108 N-437G/540E) was detected in only one isolate (1/357). Conclusion This study reports a decline in the efficacy of ASAQ treatment, while AL remained highly effective, supporting the recent decision by NMCP to replace ASAQ with AL as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. No association between the presence of the mutations in Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 and the risk of parasite recrudescence in patients treated with ASAQ was observed. Parasites with signatures known to be associated with artemisinin and piperaquine resistance were not detected. The very low frequency of the quintuple Pfdhfr/Pfdhps mutant haplotype supports the continued use of SP for IPTp. Monitoring of efficacy and resistance markers of routinely used anti-malarials is necessary to inform malaria treatment policy. Trial registration ACTRN12617001064392. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04140-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor S Koko
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Monrovia, Liberia.
| | - Marian Warsame
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Vonhm
- National Public Health Institute of Liberia-NPHIL, Monrovia, Liberia
| | | | - Didier Menard
- Malaria Genetics and Resistance Unit, INSERM U1201, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, UR7292 Dynamique des Interactions Hôte Pathogène, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurence Ma
- Biomics Platform, C2RT, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Fahn Taweh
- National Public Health Institute of Liberia-NPHIL, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Lekilay Tehmeh
- Quality Control Unit, Ministry of Health, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Paye Nyansaiye
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Oliver J Pratt
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Sei Parwon
- Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center, Saclepea, Ministry of Health, Saclepea, Liberia
| | - Patrick Kamara
- Sinje Health Centre, Garwula, Ministery of Health, Garwula, Liberia
| | - Magnus Asinya
- Charles Henry Rennie Hospital, Kakata, Ministry of Health, Kakata, Liberia
| | - Aaron Kollie
- Bensonville Hospital, Bensonville, Ministry of Health, Bensonville, Liberia
| | - Pascal Ringwald
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Marwa K, Kapesa A, Baraka V, Konje E, Kidenya B, Mukonzo J, Kamugisha E, Swedberg G. Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264339. [PMID: 35271592 PMCID: PMC8912261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest burden of malaria in the world. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been the cornerstone in the efforts to reduce the global burden of malaria. In the effort to facilitate early detection of resistance for artemisinin derivatives and partner drugs, WHO recommends monitoring of ACT's efficacy in the malaria endemic countries. The present systematic meta-analysis study summarises the evidence of therapeutic efficacy of the commonly used artemisinin-based combinations for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa after more than a decade since the introduction of the drugs. METHODS Fifty two studies carried out from 2010 to 2020 on the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine or dihydro-artemisinin piperaquine or artesunate amodiaquine in patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa were searched for using the Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Medline, LILACS, and EMBASE online data bases. Data was extracted by two independent reviewers. Random analysis effect was performed in STATA 13. Heterogeneity was established using I2 statistics. RESULTS Based on per protocol analysis, unadjusted cure rates in malaria infected patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine (ALU), artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP) were 89%, 94% and 91% respectively. However, the cure rates after PCR correction were 98% for ALU, 99% for ASAQ and 99% for DHP. CONCLUSION The present meta-analysis reports the overall high malaria treatment success for artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine above the WHO threshold value in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karol Marwa
- Department of Pharmacology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Anthony Kapesa
- Department of Community Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Vito Baraka
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Centre, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Evelyne Konje
- Department of Epidemiology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Benson Kidenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Jackson Mukonzo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Gote Swedberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Marwa KJ, Konje ET, Kapesa A, Kamugisha E, Mwita S, Swedberg G. Artemether-lumefantrine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine treatment outcomes among children infected with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mwanza, Tanzania. Trop Med Health 2021; 49:94. [PMID: 34838151 PMCID: PMC8627025 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-021-00383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artemisinin based combination therapies (ACTs) have been a cornerstone in the treatment of malaria in the world. A rapid decline in dihydroartemisinin piperaquine (DHP) and artemether lumefantrine (ALU) efficacies has been reported in some parts of South East Asia, the historical epicenter for the antimalarial drug resistance. Prolonged drug use is associated with selection of resistant parasites due to exposure to inadequate drug levels hence effects on treatment outcomes in malaria. ALU and DHP are used as first line and alternative first line, respectively, in Tanzania. This study was carried in Igombe, Tanzania to assess the efficacies of ALU and DHP in routine treatment of uncomplicated malaria among children. METHODS This was a prospective study involving children up to 10 years and followed up for 28 and 35 days as per the WHO protocol, 2015 for monitoring antimalarial drug efficacy. The primary end points were crude and adjusted Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR), parasite clearance rate and reported adverse events. RESULTS A total of 205 children with uncomplicated malaria were enrolled. One hundred and sixteen participants were treated with ALU, while 89 participants were treated with DHP. Two participants in the ALU group were lost within the 24 h of follow-up. The PCR unadjusted ACPR was108 (94.7%) for ALU and 88 (98.9%) for DHP, while the PCR adjusted ACPR was 109(95.6%) and 88(98.9%) for ALU and DHP, respectively, at 28 day follow-up. No treatment failure was observed in both groups. Cumulative risk of recurrent parasitemia was similar in both groups (p = 0.32). Age and parasite density were strong predictors for persistent day 1 parasitemia (p = 0.034 and 0.026, respectively). Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and headache were the most clinical adverse events reported in both groups of patients. CONCLUSION The present study shows that ALU and DHP are still efficacious after more than a decade of use with PCR corrected efficacies greater than 95% implying a failure rate less than 5% which is below the WHO minimum threshold requirement for recommendation of a change in the treatment policy. Both drugs were well tolerated with no major adverse events reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karol J Marwa
- Department of Pharmacology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
| | - Eveline T Konje
- Department of Epidemiology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Anthony Kapesa
- Department of Community Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Stanley Mwita
- School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Göte Swedberg
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kayode AT, Akano K, Ajogbasile FV, Uwanibe JN, Oluniyi PE, Bankole BE, Eromon PJ, Sowunmi A, Folarin OA, Volkman SK, McInnis B, Sabeti P, Wirth DF, Happi CT. Polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) and multidrug-resistant gene 1 (Pfmdr-1) in Nigerian children 10 years post-adoption of artemisinin-based combination treatments. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:301-310. [PMID: 33359205 PMCID: PMC7940560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to artemisinin derivatives and their partners in southeastern Asia threatens malaria control and elimination efforts, and heightens the need for an alternative therapy. We have explored the distribution of P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) and multidrug-resistant gene 1 (Pfmdr-1) haplotypes 10 years following adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapies in a bid to investigate the possible re-emergence of Chloroquine-sensitive parasites in Nigeria, and investigated the effect of these P. falciparum haplotypes on treatment outcomes of patients treated with artemisinin-based combination therapies. A total of 271 children aged <5 years with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were included in this study. Polymorphisms on codons 72-76 of the Pfcrt gene and codon 86 and 184 of Pfmdr-1 were determined using the high resolution melting assay. Of 240 (88.6%) samples successfully genotyped with HRM for Pfcrt, wildtype C72M74N75K76 (42.9%) and mutant C72I74E75T76 (53.8%) were observed. Also, wildtype N86Y184 (62.9%) and mutant N86F184 (21.1%), Y86Y184 (6.4%), and Y86F184 (0.4%) haplotypes of Pfmdr-1 were observed. Measures of responsiveness to ACTs were similar in children infected with P. falciparum crt haplotypes (C72I74E75T76 and C72M74N75K76) and major mdr-1 haplotypes (N86Y184, N86F184 and Y86Y184). Despite a 10 year gap since the malaria treatment policy changed to ACTs, over 50% of the P. falciparum parasites investigated in this study harboured the Chloroquine-resistant C72I74E75T76 haplotype, however this did not compromise the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies. Should complete artemisinin resistance emerge from or spread to Nigeria, chloroquine might not be a good alternative therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeyemi T Kayode
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Kazeem Akano
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Fehintola V Ajogbasile
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Jessica N Uwanibe
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Paul E Oluniyi
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Bolajoko E Bankole
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Philomena J Eromon
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Akintunde Sowunmi
- Institute of Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Onikepe A Folarin
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Sarah K Volkman
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Pardis Sabeti
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christian T Happi
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria; Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Moser KA, Madebe RA, Aydemir O, Chiduo MG, Mandara CI, Rumisha SF, Chaky F, Denton M, Marsh PW, Verity R, Watson OJ, Ngasala B, Mkude S, Molteni F, Njau R, Warsame M, Mandike R, Kabanywanyi AM, Mahende MK, Kamugisha E, Ahmed M, Kavishe RA, Greer G, Kitojo CA, Reaves EJ, Mlunde L, Bishanga D, Mohamed A, Juliano JJ, Ishengoma DS, Bailey JA. Describing the current status of Plasmodium falciparum population structure and drug resistance within mainland Tanzania using molecular inversion probes. Mol Ecol 2020; 30:100-113. [PMID: 33107096 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput Plasmodium genomic data is increasingly useful in assessing prevalence of clinically important mutations and malaria transmission patterns. Understanding parasite diversity is important for identification of specific human or parasite populations that can be targeted by control programmes, and to monitor the spread of mutations associated with drug resistance. An up-to-date understanding of regional parasite population dynamics is also critical to monitor the impact of control efforts. However, this data is largely absent from high-burden nations in Africa, and to date, no such analysis has been conducted for malaria parasites in Tanzania countrywide. To this end, over 1,000 P. falciparum clinical isolates were collected in 2017 from 13 sites in seven administrative regions across Tanzania, and parasites were genotyped at 1,800 variable positions genome-wide using molecular inversion probes. Population structure was detectable among Tanzanian P. falciparum parasites, approximately separating parasites from the northern and southern districts and identifying genetically admixed populations in the north. Isolates from nearby districts were more likely to be genetically related compared to parasites sampled from more distant districts. Known drug resistance mutations were seen at increased frequency in northern districts (including two infections carrying pfk13-R561H), and additional variants with undetermined significance for antimalarial resistance also varied by geography. Malaria Indicator Survey (2017) data corresponded with genetic findings, including average region-level complexity-of-infection and malaria prevalence estimates. The parasite populations identified here provide important information on extant spatial patterns of genetic diversity of Tanzanian parasites, to which future surveys of genetic relatedness can be compared.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kara A Moser
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Ozkan Aydemir
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Mercy G Chiduo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga, Tanzania
| | - Celine I Mandara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga, Tanzania.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre/Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Susan F Rumisha
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Frank Chaky
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Madeline Denton
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Patrick W Marsh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Robert Verity
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Oliver J Watson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Billy Ngasala
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sigsbert Mkude
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | - Ritha Njau
- World Health Organization Country Office, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Marian Warsame
- Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Renata Mandike
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Erasmus Kamugisha
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences/Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Maimuna Ahmed
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences/Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Reginald A Kavishe
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre/Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - George Greer
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Embassy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Chonge A Kitojo
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Embassy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Erik J Reaves
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Embassy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Linda Mlunde
- Jhpiego/Boresha Afya Project, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Ally Mohamed
- National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Jonathan J Juliano
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deus S Ishengoma
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
du Toit A, van der Kooy F. Artemisia afra, a controversial herbal remedy or a treasure trove of new drugs? JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 244:112127. [PMID: 31376515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Artemisia afra is one of the most widely used herbal remedies in South Africa. This highly aromatic shrub is used to treat various disorders including coughs, colds, influenza, and malaria. Due to the long tradition of use and popularity of A. afra, it has been successfully commercialised and can currently be bought from various internet stores and pharmacies. The most notable indication is for the prophylaxis and treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections. In 2013, the Medicine Control Council (MCC) of South Africa banned the sale of A. afra for the treatment of malaria because it lacks scientific evidence of efficacy. This resulted in a lawsuit being filed in 2017 against the MCC by an herbal company which claimed that artemisinin was responsible for A. afra's antiplasmodial activity. At the time, no scientific literature reported that A. afra contained artemisinin. MATERIALS AND METHODS This review aims to collate all available scientific literature regarding the phytochemistry and biological activity, focusing on antimalarial activity, of A. afra published from 2009 to 2019 and follows on our earlier review, which covered all literature until 2009. All scientific literature in English published between 2009 and June 2019 were retrieved from scientific databases (Scifinder scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google scholar) and a number of books regarding medicinal plants in South Africa were also consulted. RESULTS In the last decade very few compounds have been identified in A. afra, none of which were novel compounds. Based on all the tests that have been conducted using extracts and compounds of A. afra in a disparate variety of in vitro and in vivo bioassays, the results indicate only weak biological activity. The activity of extracts, and in some cases pure compounds, exhibited IC50 or MIC values of 1000-10 000 fold less active than the positive controls. In contrast, and quite surprisingly, two randomised controlled trials were recently conducted (Schistosoma mansoni and Plasmodium falciparum infected patients) and although criticised based on design, execution, statistical analysis and ethical concerns, showed remarkably positive results. CONCLUSIONS Pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo animal experiments failed to yield any promising drug leads. However, if the recent randomised controlled trials can be independently replicated in well-designed and executed clinical trials it might indicate that A. afra contain powerful 'prodrugs'. Future research on A. afra should therefore focus on reproducing the randomised controlled trials and on artificially metabolising A. afra extracts/compounds in order to identify the presence of any 'prodrugs'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneke du Toit
- Unit for Drug Research and Development, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| | - Frank van der Kooy
- Unit for Drug Research and Development, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Foguim Tsombeng F, Gendrot M, Robert MG, Madamet M, Pradines B. Are k13 and plasmepsin II genes, involved in Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin derivatives and piperaquine in Southeast Asia, reliable to monitor resistance surveillance in Africa? Malar J 2019; 18:285. [PMID: 31443646 PMCID: PMC6708145 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the propeller domain of Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 (Pfk13) gene are associated with artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia. Artemisinin resistance is defined by increased ring survival rate and delayed parasite clearance half-life in patients. Additionally, an amplification of the Plasmodium falciparum plasmepsin II gene (pfpm2), encoding a protease involved in hemoglobin degradation, has been found to be associated with reduced in vitro susceptibility to piperaquine in Cambodian P. falciparum parasites and with dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine failures in Cambodia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of these two genes to track the emergence and the spread of the resistance to dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine in malaria endemic areas. Although the resistance to dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine has not yet emerged in Africa, few reports on clinical failures suggest that k13 and pfpm2 would not be the only genes involved in artemisinin and piperaquine resistance. It is imperative to identify molecular markers or drug resistance genes that associate with artemisinin and piperaquine in Africa. K13 polymorphisms and Pfpm2 copy number variation analysis may not be sufficient for monitoring the emergence of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine resistance in Africa. But, these markers should not be ruled out for tracking the emergence of resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Foguim Tsombeng
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Mathieu Gendrot
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marie Gladys Robert
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marylin Madamet
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Pradines
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France. .,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. .,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Warsame M, Hassan AM, Hassan AH, Jibril AM, Khim N, Arale AM, Gomey AH, Nur ZS, Osman SM, Mohamed MS, Abdulrahman A, Yusuf FE, Amran JGH, Witkowski B, Ringwald P. High therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Somalia. Malar J 2019; 18:231. [PMID: 31296223 PMCID: PMC6624891 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2864-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Artemether–lumefantrine (AL) and dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DHA/PPQ) are the recommended first- and second-line treatments, respectively, for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Somalia. The studies reported here were conducted to assess the efficacy of these artemisinin-based combinations and the mutations in Plasmodium falciparum K13-propeller (Pfk13) domain and amplification in Pfplasmepsin 2 (Pfpm2) gene in Somalia. Methods One-arm prospective studies were conducted to assess the clinical and parasitological responses to DHA/PPQ and AL at two sites in 2016 and 2017, respectively, using the standard WHO protocol. The patterns of molecular markers associated with artemisinin and PPQ resistance were investigated for the first time in Somalia. Results A total of 339 patients were enrolled with 139 for AL and 200 for DHA/PPQ. With AL, no parasite recurrence was observed among patients treated at either site, corresponding to 100% clinical and parasitological responses. For DHA–PPQ, an adequate clinical and parasitological response rate > 97% was observed. All study patients on both treatments at both sites were parasite-free on day 3. Of the 138 samples with interpretable results for the polymorphism in Pfk13, only one (0.7%), from Bosaso, contained a non-synonymous mutation (R622I), which is not one of the known markers of artemisinin resistance. No Pfpm2 amplification was observed among the 135 samples with interpretable results. Conclusions AL and DHA/PPQ were highly effective in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria, and there was no evidence of resistance to artemisinin or PPQ. These two combinations are thus relevant in the chemotherapeutic strategy for malaria control in Somalia. Trial registration ACTRN12616001005448 (Jowhar DP study), ACTRN12616000553471 (Bosaso DP study), ACTRN12617001055392 (AL study in Bosaso and Jowhar)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marian Warsame
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland. .,University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | | | | | | | - Nimol Khim
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Benoit Witkowski
- Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.,Malaria Translational Research Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Ringwald
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|