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Casanova D, Baptista V, Costa M, Freitas B, Pereira MDNI, Calçada C, Mota P, Kythrich O, Pereira MHJS, Osório NS, Veiga MI. Artemisinin resistance-associated gene mutations in Plasmodium falciparum: A case study of severe malaria from Mozambique. Travel Med Infect Dis 2024; 57:102684. [PMID: 38159875 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102684] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) in treating Plasmodium falciparum, is vital for global malaria control efforts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The examination of imported cases from endemic areas holds implications for malaria chemotherapy on a global scale. METHOD A 45-year-old male presented with high fever, dry cough, diarrhoea and generalized muscle pain, following a two-week trip to Mozambique. P. falciparum infection with hiperparasitemia was confirmed and the patient was treated initially with quinine and doxycycline, then intravenous artesunate. To assess drug susceptibility, ex vivo half-maximal inhibitory concentration assays were conducted, and the isolated P. falciparum genome was deep sequenced. RESULTS The clinical isolate exhibited elevated ex vivo half-maximal inhibitory concentration values to dihydroartemisinin, lumefantrine, mefloquine and piperaquine. Genomic analysis identified a I416V mutation in the P. falciparum Kelch13 (PF3D7_1343700) gene, and several mutations at the Kelch13 interaction candidate genes, pfkics (PF3D7_0813000, PF3D7_1138700, PF3D7_1246300), including the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1, pfubp1 (PF3D7_0104300). Mutations at the drug transporters and genes linked to next-generation antimalarial drug resistance were also present. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the emergence of P. falciparum strains carrying mutations in artemisinin resistance-associated genes in Mozambique, couple with a reduction in ex vivo susceptibility to ACT drugs. Continuous surveillance of mutations linked to drug resistance and regular monitoring of drug susceptibility are imperative to anticipate the spread of potential resistant strains emerging in Mozambique and to maintain effective malaria control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Casanova
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira, 4835-044, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vitória Baptista
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Guimarães/ Braga, Portugal; Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Magda Costa
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira, 4835-044, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bruno Freitas
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Guimarães/ Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria das Neves Imaculada Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Guimarães/ Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Guimarães/ Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Mota
- Clinical Pathology Department, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira, 4835-044, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Olena Kythrich
- Clinical Pathology Department, Hospital Senhora da Oliveira, 4835-044, Guimarães, Portugal
| | | | - Nuno S Osório
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Guimarães/ Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909, Guimarães/ Braga, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (2CA-Braga), 4710-243, Braga, Portugal.
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