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Abagero BR, Rama R, Obeid A, Tolosa T, Lukas B, Teka T, Tesfaye D, Lo E, Yewhalaw D. Detection of Duffy blood group genotypes and submicroscopic Plasmodium infections using molecular diagnostic assays in febrile malaria patients. Malar J 2024; 23:194. [PMID: 38902674 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04875-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a severe parasitic disease, posing a significant threat to public health and hindering economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia, a malaria endemic country, is facing a resurgence of the disease with a steadily rising incidence. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as microscopy, have become less effective due to low parasite density, particularly among Duffy-negative human populations in Africa. To develop comprehensive control strategies, it is crucial to generate data on the distribution and clinical occurrence of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infections in regions where the disease is prevalent. This study assessed Plasmodium infections and Duffy antigen genotypes in febrile patients in Ethiopia. METHODS Three hundred febrile patients visiting four health facilities in Jimma town of southwestern Ethiopia were randomly selected during the malaria transmission season (Apr-Oct). Sociodemographic information was collected, and microscopic examination was performed for all study participants. Plasmodium species and parasitaemia as well as the Duffy genotype were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for all samples. Data were analysed using Fisher's exact test and kappa statistics. RESULTS The Plasmodium infection rate by qPCR was 16% (48/300) among febrile patients, of which 19 (39.6%) were P. vivax, 25 (52.1%) were P. falciparum, and 4 (8.3%) were mixed (P. vivax and P. falciparum) infections. Among the 48 qPCR-positive samples, 39 (13%) were negative by microscopy. The results of bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that agriculture-related occupation, relapse and recurrence were significantly associated with Plasmodium infection (P < 0.001). Of the 300 febrile patients, 85 (28.3%) were Duffy negative, of whom two had P. vivax, six had P. falciparum, and one had mixed infections. Except for one patient with P. falciparum infection, Plasmodium infections in Duffy-negative individuals were all submicroscopic with low parasitaemia. CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed a high prevalence of submicroscopic malaria infections. Plasmodium vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals were not detected due to low parasitaemia. In this study, an improved molecular diagnostic tool was used to detect and characterize Plasmodium infections, with the goal of quantifying P. vivax infection in Duffy-negative individuals. Advanced molecular diagnostic techniques, such as multiplex real-time PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and CRISPR-based diagnostic methods. These techniques offer increased sensitivity, specificity, and the ability to detect low-parasite-density infections compared to the employed methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beka R Abagero
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Rei Rama
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Abdulghani Obeid
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Tirusew Tolosa
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Biniyam Lukas
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Taye Teka
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Tesfaye
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
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Little E, Shenkutie TT, Negash MT, Abagero BR, Abebe A, Popovici J, Feleke SM, Lo E. Prevalence and Characteristics of Plasmodium vivax Gametocytes in Duffy-Positive and Duffy-Negative Populations across Ethiopia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:1091-1099. [PMID: 38626749 PMCID: PMC11154031 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites replicate asexually in human hosts. The proportion of infections that carries gametocytes is a proxy for human-to-mosquito transmissibility. It is unclear which proportion of Plasmodium vivax infections in Duffy-negative populations carries gametocytes. We determined the prevalence and characteristics of P. vivax gametocytes in Duffy-positive and -negative populations across broad regions of Ethiopia. Finger-prick blood samples were collected for microscopic and molecular screening of Plasmodium parasites and Duffy status of individuals. Molecular screening of Plasmodium species and Duffy blood group genotyping was done using SYBR green and the Taqman quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. Of the 447 febrile patients who were shown to be P. vivax smear positive, 414 (92.6%) were confirmed by molecular screening as P. vivax and 16 (3.9%) of them were from Duffy-negative individuals. Of these, 5 of 16 (31.3%) Duffy-negative P. vivax-infected samples were detected with gametocytes. Of the 398 Duffy-positive P. vivax-infected samples, 150 (37.7%) were detected with gametocytes, slightly greater than that in Duffy-negative samples. This study highlights the presence of P. vivax gametocytes in Duffy-negative infections, suggestive of human-to-mosquito transmissibility. Although P. vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals were commonly associated with low parasitemia, some of these infections were shown to have relatively high parasitemia and may represent a prominent erythrocyte invasion capability of P. vivax, and hidden reservoirs that can contribute to transmission. A better understanding of P. vivax transmission biology and gametocyte function particularly in Duffy-negative populations would aid future treatment and management of P. vivax malaria in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony Little
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Tassew T. Shenkutie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University, College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Debre Brehan University, Ethiopia
| | | | - Beka R. Abagero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics, Drexel University, College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Abnet Abebe
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University, College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Olvera-Lucio FH, Riveros-Rosas H, Quintero-Martínez A, Hernández-Santoyo A. Tandem-repeat lectins: structural and functional insights. Glycobiology 2024; 34:cwae041. [PMID: 38857376 PMCID: PMC11186620 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Multivalency in lectins plays a pivotal role in influencing glycan cross-linking, thereby affecting lectin functionality. This multivalency can be achieved through oligomerization, the presence of tandemly repeated carbohydrate recognition domains, or a combination of both. Unlike lectins that rely on multiple factors for the oligomerization of identical monomers, tandem-repeat lectins inherently possess multivalency, independent of this complex process. The repeat domains, although not identical, display slightly distinct specificities within a predetermined geometry, enhancing specificity, affinity, avidity and even oligomerization. Despite the recognition of this structural characteristic in recently discovered lectins by numerous studies, a unified criterion to define tandem-repeat lectins is still necessary. We suggest defining them multivalent lectins with intrachain tandem repeats corresponding to carbohydrate recognition domains, independent of oligomerization. This systematic review examines the folding and phyletic diversity of tandem-repeat lectins and refers to relevant literature. Our study categorizes all lectins with tandemly repeated carbohydrate recognition domains into nine distinct folding classes associated with specific biological functions. Our findings provide a comprehensive description and analysis of tandem-repeat lectins in terms of their functions and structural features. Our exploration of phyletic and functional diversity has revealed previously undocumented tandem-repeat lectins. We propose research directions aimed at enhancing our understanding of the origins of tandem-repeat lectin and fostering the development of medical and biotechnological applications, notably in the design of artificial sugars and neolectins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco H Olvera-Lucio
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán 04510, Mexico
| | - Héctor Riveros-Rosas
- Depto. Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán 04510, Mexico
| | - Adrián Quintero-Martínez
- Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán 04510, Mexico
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Little E, Shenkutie TT, Negash MT, Abagero BR, Abebe A, Popovici J, Mekasha S, Lo E. Prevalence and characteristics of Plasmodium vivax Gametocytes in Duffy-positive and Duffy-negative populations across Ethiopia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.10.23299780. [PMID: 38168152 PMCID: PMC10760292 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.10.23299780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites replicate asexually in the human host. The proportion of infections that carries gametocytes is a proxy for human-to-mosquito transmissibility. It is unclear what proportion of P. vivax infections in Duffy-negatives carries gametocytes. This study aims to determine the prevalence of P. vivax in Duffy-negatives across broad regions of Ethiopia and characterize parasite stages. Finger-prick blood samples were collected for microscopic and molecular screening of Plasmodium parasites and Duffy status of individuals. Molecular screening of plasmodium species and Duffy blood group genotyping was done using SYBR green and Taqman qPCR method. Among the total 447 samples, 414 (92.6%) were P. vivax confirmed and, 16 (3.9%) of them were from Duffy-negatives. Of these, 5/16 (31.3%) Duffy-negative P. vivax-infected samples were detected with gametocytes. Of the 398 Duffy-positive P. vivax-infected samples, 150 (37.7%) were detected with gametocytes, slightly higher than that in Duffy-negatives. This study highlights the presence of P. vivax gametocytes in Duffy-negative infections, suggestive of human-to-mosquito transmissibility. Although P. vivax infections in Duffy-negatives are commonly associated with low parasitemia, some of these infections were shown with relatively high parasitemia and may represent better erythrocyte invasion capability of P. vivax and hidden reservoirs that can contribute to transmission. A better understanding of P. vivax transmission biology and gametocyte function particularly in Duffy-negative populations would aid future treatment and management of vivax malaria in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony Little
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tassew T. Shenkutie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University, College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Debre Brehan University, Debre Brehan, Ethiopia
| | | | - Beka R. Abagero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics, Drexel University, College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abnet Abebe
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Sindew Mekasha
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University, College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Abagero BR, Rama R, Obeid A, Tolossa T, Legese F, Lo E, Yewhalaw D. Detection of Duffy Blood Group Genotypes and Submicroscopic Plasmodium Infections Using Molecular Diagnostic Assays in Febrile Malaria Patients. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3706814. [PMID: 38105972 PMCID: PMC10723540 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3706814/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Malaria remains a severe parasitic disease, posing a significant threat to public health and hindering economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia, a malaria endemic country, is facing a resurgence of the disease with a steadily rising incidence. Conventional diagnostic methods, such asmicroscopy, have become less effective due to low parasite density, particularly among Duffy-negative human populations in Africa. To develop comprehensive control strategies, it is crucial to generate data on the distribution and clinical occurrence of Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum infections in regions where the disease is prevalent. This study assessed Plasmodium infections and Duffy antigen genotypes in febrile patients in Ethiopia. Methods Three hundred febrile patients visiting four health facilities in Jimma town of southwestern Ethiopia were randomly selected during the malaria transmission season (Apr-Oct). Sociodemographic information was collected, and microscopic examination was performed for all study participants. Plasmodiumspecies and parasitemia as well as the Duffy genotype were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for all samples. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and kappa statistics. Results The Plasmodium infection rate by qPCR was 16% (48/300) among febrile patients, of which 19 (39.6%) were P. vivax, 25 (52.1%) were P. falciparum, and 4 (8.3%) were mixed (P. vivax and P. falciparum) infections. Among the 48 qPCR-positive samples, 39 (13%) were negative by microscopy. The results of bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that agriculture-related occupation, relapse and recurrence were significantly associated withPlasmodium infection (P<0.001). Of the 300 febrile patients, 85 (28.3%) were Duffy negative, of whom two had P. vivax, six had P. falciparum, and one had mixed infections.Except for one patient with P. falciparum infection, Plasmodium infections in Duffy-negative individuals were all submicroscopic with low parasitemia. Conclusions The present study revealed a high prevalence of submicroscopic malaria infections. Plasmodium vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals were not detected due to low parasitemia. Here, we recommend an improved molecular diagnostic tool to detect and characterize plasmodium infections, with the goal of quantifyingP. vivax infection in Duffy-negative individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beka Raya Abagero
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rei Rama
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
| | | | | | | | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Nguyen TS, Park JH, Nguyen TK, Nguyen TV, Lee SK, Na SH, Han JH, Park WS, Chun W, Lu F, Han ET. Plasmodium vivax merozoite-specific thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (PvMTRAP) interacts with human CD36, suggesting a novel ligand-receptor interaction for reticulocyte invasion. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:426. [PMID: 37981686 PMCID: PMC10658926 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06031-5] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Plasmodium vivax merozoite restrictively invades immature erythrocytes, suggesting that its ligand(s) might interact with corresponding receptor(s) that are selectively abundant on reticulocytes to complete the invasion. Finding the ligand‒receptor interaction involved in P. vivax invasion is critical to vivax malaria management; nevertheless, it remains to be unraveled. METHODS A library of reticulocyte receptors and P. vivax ligands were expressed by a HEK293E mammalian cell expression system and were then used to screen the interaction using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A flow cytometry-based erythrocyte binding assay and bio-layer interferometry experiment were further utilized to cellularly and quantitatively identify the ligand‒receptor interaction, respectively. RESULTS Plasmodium vivax merozoite-specific thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (PvMTRAP) was found to interact with human CD36 using systematic screening. This interaction was specific at a molecular level from in vitro analysis and comparable to that of P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) and Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) (KD: 37.0 ± 1.4 nM and 7.7 ± 0.5 nM, respectively). Flow cytometry indicated that PvMTRAP preferentially binds to reticulocytes, on which CD36 is selectively present. CONCLUSIONS Human CD36 is selectively abundant on reticulocytes and is able to interact specifically with PvMTRAP, suggesting that it may function as a ligand and receptor during the invasion of reticulocytes by P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thau Sy Nguyen
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Park
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
- Host-Parasite Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-Si, 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Tuyet-Kha Nguyen
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Truong Van Nguyen
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Kyun Lee
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hun Na
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Sun Park
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Wanjoo Chun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Eun-Taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-Do, 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Ahmed S, Pestana K, Ford A, Elfaki M, Gamil E, Elamin AF, Hamad SO, Elfaki TM, Abukashawa SMA, Lo E, Abdel Hamid MM. Prevalence and distribution of Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein gene duplications in Sudan. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287668. [PMID: 37471337 PMCID: PMC10358875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein (PvDBP) is essential for interacting with Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) on the surface of red blood cells to allow invasion. Earlier whole genome sequence analyses provided evidence for the duplications of PvDBP. It is unclear whether PvDBP duplications play a role in recent increase of P. vivax in Sudan and in Duffy-negative individuals. In this study, the prevalence and type of PvDBP duplications, and its relationship to demographic and clinical features were investigated. A total of 200 malaria-suspected blood samples were collected from health facilities in Khartoum, River Nile, and Al-Obied. Among them, 145 were confirmed to be P. vivax, and 43 (29.7%) had more than one PvDBP copies with up to four copies being detected. Both the Malagasy and Cambodian types of PvDBP duplication were detected. No significant difference was observed between the two types of duplications between Duffy groups. Parasitemia was significantly higher in samples with the Malagasy-type than those without duplications. No significant difference was observed in PvDBP duplication prevalence and copy number among study sites. The functional significance of PvDBP duplications, especially those Malagasy-type that associated with higher parasitemia, merit further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safaa Ahmed
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Kareen Pestana
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
| | - Anthony Ford
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Elfaki
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eiman Gamil
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Arwa F. Elamin
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Samuel Omer Hamad
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Tarig Mohamed Elfaki
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- National Malaria Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Eugenia Lo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
- School of Data Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
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da Veiga GTS, Moriggi MR, Vettorazzi JF, Müller-Santos M, Albrecht L. Plasmodium vivax vaccine: What is the best way to go? Front Immunol 2023; 13:910236. [PMID: 36726991 PMCID: PMC9885200 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most devastating human infectious diseases caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites. A search for an effective and safe vaccine is the main challenge for its eradication. Plasmodium vivax is the second most prevalent Plasmodium species and the most geographically distributed parasite and has been neglected for decades. This has a massive gap in knowledge and consequently in the development of vaccines. The most significant difficulties in obtaining a vaccine against P. vivax are the high genetic diversity and the extremely complex life cycle. Due to its complexity, studies have evaluated P. vivax antigens from different stages as potential targets for an effective vaccine. Therefore, the main vaccine candidates are grouped into preerythrocytic stage vaccines, blood-stage vaccines, and transmission-blocking vaccines. This review aims to support future investigations by presenting the main findings of vivax malaria vaccines to date. There are only a few P. vivax vaccines in clinical trials, and thus far, the best protective efficacy was a vaccine formulated with synthetic peptide from a circumsporozoite protein and Montanide ISA-51 as an adjuvant with 54.5% efficacy in a phase IIa study. In addition, the majority of P. vivax antigen candidates are polymorphic, induce strain-specific and heterogeneous immunity and provide only partial protection. Nevertheless, immunization with recombinant proteins and multiantigen vaccines have shown promising results and have emerged as excellent strategies. However, more studies are necessary to assess the ideal vaccine combination and test it in clinical trials. Developing a safe and effective vaccine against vivax malaria is essential for controlling and eliminating the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to determine what is already known to propose and identify new candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Tatiane Soares da Veiga
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Parasites Research, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil,Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo Müller-Santos
- Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Letusa Albrecht
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Parasites Research, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil,*Correspondence: Letusa Albrecht,
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Habtamu K, Petros B, Yan G. Plasmodium vivax: the potential obstacles it presents to malaria elimination and eradication. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2022; 8:27. [PMID: 36522671 PMCID: PMC9753897 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-022-00185-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Initiatives to eradicate malaria have a good impact on P. falciparum malaria worldwide. P. vivax, however, still presents significant difficulties. This is due to its unique biological traits, which, in comparison to P. falciparum, pose serious challenges for malaria elimination approaches. P. vivax's numerous distinctive characteristics and its ability to live for weeks to years in liver cells in its hypnozoite form, which may elude the human immune system and blood-stage therapy and offer protection during mosquito-free seasons. Many malaria patients are not fully treated because of contraindications to primaquine use in pregnant and nursing women and are still vulnerable to P. vivax relapses, although there are medications that could radical cure P. vivax. Additionally, due to CYP2D6's highly variable genetic polymorphism, the pharmacokinetics of primaquine may be impacted. Due to their inability to metabolize PQ, some CYP2D6 polymorphism alleles can cause patients to not respond to treatment. Tafenoquine offers a radical treatment in a single dose that overcomes the potentially serious problem of poor adherence to daily primaquine. Despite this benefit, hemolysis of the early erythrocytes continues in individuals with G6PD deficiency until all susceptible cells have been eliminated. Field techniques such as microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) miss the large number of submicroscopic and/or asymptomatic infections brought on by reticulocyte tropism and the low parasitemia levels that accompany it. Moreover, P. vivax gametocytes grow more quickly and are much more prevalent in the bloodstream. P. vivax populations also have a great deal of genetic variation throughout their genome, which ensures evolutionary fitness and boosts adaptation potential. Furthermore, P. vivax fully develops in the mosquito faster than P. falciparum. These characteristics contribute to parasite reservoirs in the human population and facilitate faster transmission. Overall, no genuine chance of eradication is predicted in the next few years unless new tools for lowering malaria transmission are developed (i.e., malaria elimination and eradication). The challenging characteristics of P. vivax that impede the elimination and eradication of malaria are thus discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassahun Habtamu
- Department of Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Menelik II Medical & Health Science College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Beyene Petros
- Department of Microbial, Cellular & Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
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10
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Nain M, Sharma A. Linkages between blood groups and malaria susceptibility. J Vector Borne Dis 2022; 59:193-197. [PMID: 36511034 DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.345177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood typing has revolutionized the field of medical science since its discovery about a century ago. Besides its established role in life-saving blood transfusions, researchers have always been curious about the relationship between blood groups and human ailments. The effect of blood groups on disease outcomes, susceptibility, and mortality has been widely explored. According to a particular school of thought, the endemicity of diseases shapes the distribution of blood group frequency in human populations and exert selection pressure favoring one blood type over another. Here we discuss the scope and association of different blood groups in the context of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minu Nain
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi 110077, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi 110077; Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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11
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Goo YK. Vivax Malaria and the Potential Role of the Subtelomeric Multigene vir Superfamily. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061083. [PMID: 35744600 PMCID: PMC9228997 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vivax malaria, caused by Plasmodium vivax, remains a public health concern in Central and Southeast Asia and South America, with more than two billion people at risk of infection. Compared to Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax is considered a benign infection. However, in recent decades, incidences of severe vivax malaria have been confirmed. The P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 family encoded by var genes is known as a mediator of severe falciparum malaria by cytoadherence property. Correspondingly, the vir multigene superfamily has been identified as the largest multigene family in P. vivax and is implicated in cytoadherence to endothelial cells and immune response activation. In this review, the functions of vir genes are reviewed in the context of their potential roles in severe vivax malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn-Kyoung Goo
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
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12
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Goodman JR, Ewald PW. The evolution of barriers to exploitation: Sometimes the Red Queen can take a break. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2179-2188. [PMID: 34603491 PMCID: PMC8477591 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13280] [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: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a general barrier theory as an evolutionary framework for understanding coevolutionary effects of conflicts of interest in natural and human systems. It is generalized from the barrier theory of cancer, which describes how cancer develops through the evasion of mechanisms, that block unregulated cellular reproduction and survival. Barriers are naturally evolved or artificially implemented mechanisms for blocking exploitation; restraints are mechanisms that impede but do not block exploitation. When conflicts of interest arise, selection will favor exploiters that are capable of overcoming barriers and restraints. When barriers are in place, they halt, at least temporarily, coevolutionary arms races (the Red Queen can stop running). Barriers occur in a broad spectrum of interactions characterized by conflicts of interest: barriers to cellular survival (apoptosis) and reproduction (cell cycle arrest) may block a virus from replicating its genome through reproduction of its host cell. Vaccines may completely protect against targeted pathogens. A plant may escape herbivory by evolving defensive chemicals that block herbivory. Obligate mutualisms may evolve when barriers to horizontal transmission favor symbionts that increasingly lose mechanisms that contribute to horizontal transmission. Here, we show how the barrier theory applies across a spectrum of natural and social systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R. Goodman
- Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary StudiesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Paul W. Ewald
- Department of BiologyUniversity of LouisvilleLouisvilleKentuckyUSA
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13
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Djigo OKM, Ould Ahmedou Salem MS, Diallo SM, Bollahi MA, Boushab BM, Garre A, Papa Mze N, Basco L, Briolant S, Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary A. Molecular Epidemiology of G6PD Genotypes in Different Ethnic Groups Residing in Saharan and Sahelian Zones of Mauritania. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080931. [PMID: 34451395 PMCID: PMC8398068 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is endemic in Mauritania. Individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may develop acute hemolytic anemia when exposed to 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial drugs, which are indispensable for a complete cure. The prevalence of G6PD allelic variants was assessed in different ethno-linguistic groups present in Mauritania. A total of 996 blood samples (447 males and 549 females; 499 white Moors and 497 individuals of black African ancestry) were collected from febrile patients in 6 different study sites: Aleg, Atar, Kiffa, Kobeni, Nouakchott, and Rosso. The presence of the African-type G6PD A- (G202A, A376G, A542T, G680T, and T968C mutations) and the Mediterranean-type G6PD B- (C563T) variants was assessed by PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and/or DNA sequencing. The prevalence of African-type G6PD A- genotype was 3.6% (36/996), with 6.3% (28/447) of hemizygote (A-) males and 1.5% (8/549) of homozygous (A-A-) females. Forty of 549 (7.3%) women were heterozygous (AA-). The following genotypes were observed among hemizygous men and/or homozygous women: A376G/G202A (22/996; 2.2%), A376G/T968C Betica-Selma (12/996; 1.2%), and A376G/A542T Santamaria (2/996; 0.2%). The Mediterranean-type G6PD B- genotype was not observed. The prevalence rates of G6PD A- genotype in male (10/243; 4.1%) and heterozygous female (6/256; 2.3%) white Moors were lower (p < 0.05) than those of males (18/204; 8.8%) and heterozygous females (34/293; 11.6%) of black African ancestry. There were only a few homozygous women among both white Moors (3/256; 1.2%) and those of black African ancestry (5/293; 1.7%). The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Mauritania was comparable to that of neighboring countries in the Maghreb. Because of the purportedly close ethnic ties between the Mauritanian white Moors and the peoples in the Maghreb, further investigations on the possible existence of the Mediterranean-type allele are required. Moreover, a surveillance system of G6PD phenotype and/or genotype screening is warranted to establish and monitor a population-based prevalence of G6PD deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oum Kelthoum Mamadou Djigo
- Unité de Recherche “Génomes et Milieux” (Jeune Equipe Associée à l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Nouakchott, Mauritania; (O.K.M.D.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Mohamed Salem Ould Ahmedou Salem
- Unité de Recherche “Génomes et Milieux” (Jeune Equipe Associée à l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Nouakchott, Mauritania; (O.K.M.D.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (S.M.D.)
| | - Sileye Mamadou Diallo
- Unité de Recherche “Génomes et Milieux” (Jeune Equipe Associée à l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Nouakchott, Mauritania; (O.K.M.D.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (S.M.D.)
| | | | - Boushab Mohamed Boushab
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Kiffa Regional Hospital, Assaba, Mauritania;
| | - Aymeric Garre
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), 13005 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (N.P.M.); (L.B.); (S.B.)
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)—Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Nasserdine Papa Mze
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), 13005 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (N.P.M.); (L.B.); (S.B.)
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)—Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Leonardo Basco
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), 13005 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (N.P.M.); (L.B.); (S.B.)
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)—Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Sébastien Briolant
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Service de Santé des Armées (SSA), Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), 13005 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (N.P.M.); (L.B.); (S.B.)
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU)—Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Unité de Parasitologie Entomologie, Département de Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Ali Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary
- Unité de Recherche “Génomes et Milieux” (Jeune Equipe Associée à l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Nouakchott Al-Aasriya, Nouakchott, Mauritania; (O.K.M.D.); (M.S.O.A.S.); (S.M.D.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Hang JW, Tukijan F, Lee EQH, Abdeen SR, Aniweh Y, Malleret B. Zoonotic Malaria: Non- Laverania Plasmodium Biology and Invasion Mechanisms. Pathogens 2021; 10:889. [PMID: 34358039 PMCID: PMC8308728 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, which is caused by Plasmodium parasites through Anopheles mosquito transmission, remains one of the most life-threatening diseases affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide every year. Plasmodium vivax, which accounts for the majority of cases of recurring malaria caused by the Plasmodium (non-Laverania) subgenus, is an ancient and continuing zoonosis originating from monkey hosts probably outside Africa. The emergence of other zoonotic malarias (P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, and P. simium) further highlights the seriousness of the disease. The severity of this epidemic disease is dependent on many factors, including the parasite characteristics, host-parasite interactions, and the pathology of the infection. Successful infection depends on the ability of the parasite to invade the host; however, little is known about the parasite invasion biology and mechanisms. The lack of this information adds to the challenges to malaria control and elimination, hence enhancing the potential for continuation of this zoonosis. Here, we review the literature describing the characteristics, distribution, and genome details of the parasites, as well as host specificity, host-parasite interactions, and parasite pathology. This information will provide the basis of a greater understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of malaria to support future development of strategies for the control and prevention of this zoonotic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wen Hang
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore; (J.W.H.); (F.T.); (E.Q.H.L.)
| | - Farhana Tukijan
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore; (J.W.H.); (F.T.); (E.Q.H.L.)
| | - Erica-Qian-Hui Lee
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore; (J.W.H.); (F.T.); (E.Q.H.L.)
| | - Shifana Raja Abdeen
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore 138648, Singapore;
| | - Yaw Aniweh
- West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana;
| | - Benoit Malleret
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore; (J.W.H.); (F.T.); (E.Q.H.L.)
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Biopolis, Singapore 138648, Singapore;
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15
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Benavente ED, Manko E, Phelan J, Campos M, Nolder D, Fernandez D, Velez-Tobon G, Castaño AT, Dombrowski JG, Marinho CRF, Aguiar ACC, Pereira DB, Sriprawat K, Nosten F, Moon R, Sutherland CJ, Campino S, Clark TG. Distinctive genetic structure and selection patterns in Plasmodium vivax from South Asia and East Africa. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3160. [PMID: 34039976 PMCID: PMC8154914 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23422-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high burden of Plasmodium vivax malaria in South Asian countries, the genetic diversity of circulating parasite populations is not well described. Determinants of antimalarial drug susceptibility for P. vivax in the region have not been characterised. Our genomic analysis of global P. vivax (n = 558) establishes South Asian isolates (n = 92) as a distinct subpopulation, which shares ancestry with some East African and South East Asian parasites. Signals of positive selection are linked to drug resistance-associated loci including pvkelch10, pvmrp1, pvdhfr and pvdhps, and two loci linked to P. vivax invasion of reticulocytes, pvrbp1a and pvrbp1b. Significant identity-by-descent was found in extended chromosome regions common to P. vivax from India and Ethiopia, including the pvdbp gene associated with Duffy blood group binding. Our investigation provides new understanding of global P. vivax population structure and genomic diversity, and genetic evidence of recent directional selection in this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Diez Benavente
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Emilia Manko
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jody Phelan
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Monica Campos
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Debbie Nolder
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Public Health England Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Diana Fernandez
- Grupo Malaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Gabriel Velez-Tobon
- Grupo Malaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Antioquia, Colombia
| | | | - Jamille G Dombrowski
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudio R F Marinho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anna Caroline C Aguiar
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Kanlaya Sriprawat
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
| | - Francois Nosten
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert Moon
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Public Health England Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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16
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Su XZ, Wu J. Zoonotic Transmissions and Host Switches of Malaria Parasites. ZOONOSES (BURLINGTON, MASS.) 2021; 1. [PMID: 35282332 DOI: 10.15212/zoonoses-2021-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease that affects the health of hundreds of millions of people annually. There are five Plasmodium parasite species that can naturally infect humans, including Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi. Some of the parasites can also infect various non-human primates. Parasites mainly infecting monkeys such as Plasmodium cynomolgi (in fact P. knowlesi was considered as a parasite of monkeys for years) can also be transmitted to human hosts. Recently, many new Plasmodium species were discovered in African apes, and it is possible that some of the parasites can be transmitted to humans in the future. Here, we searched PubMed and the internet via Google and selected articles concerning zoonotic transmission and evolution of selected malaria parasite species. We reviewed the current advances in the relevant topics emphasizing on transmissions of malaria parasites between humans and non-human primates. We also briefly discuss the transmissions of some avian malaria parasites between wild birds and domestic fowls. Zoonotic malaria transmissions are widespread, which poses a threat to public health. More studies on parasite species identification in non-human primates, transmission, and evolution are needed to reduce or prevent transmission of malaria parasites from non-human primates to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Zhuan Su
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA
| | - Jian Wu
- Malaria Functional Genomics Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8132, USA
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