scholarly journals Host immunity to Plasmodium falciparum and the assessment of emerging artemisinin resistance in a multinational cohort

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (13) ◽  
pp. 3515-3520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Ataide ◽  
Elizabeth A. Ashley ◽  
Rosanna Powell ◽  
Jo-Anne Chan ◽  
Michael J. Malloy ◽  
...  

Artemisinin-resistant falciparum malaria, defined by a slow-clearance phenotype and the presence of kelch13 mutants, has emerged in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Naturally acquired immunity to malaria clears parasites independent of antimalarial drugs. We hypothesized that between- and within-population variations in host immunity influence parasite clearance after artemisinin treatment and the interpretation of emerging artemisinin resistance. Antibodies specific to 12 Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite and blood-stage antigens were determined in 959 patients (from 11 sites in Southeast Asia) participating in a multinational cohort study assessing parasite clearance half-life (PCt1/2) after artesunate treatment and kelch13 mutations. Linear mixed-effects modeling of pooled individual patient data assessed the association between antibody responses and PCt1/2.P. falciparum antibodies were lowest in areas where the prevalence of kelch13 mutations and slow PCt1/2 were highest [Spearman ρ = −0.90 (95% confidence interval, −0.97, −0.65), and Spearman ρ = −0.94 (95% confidence interval, −0.98, −0.77), respectively]. P. falciparum antibodies were associated with faster PCt1/2 (mean difference in PCt1/2 according to seropositivity, −0.16 to −0.65 h, depending on antigen); antibodies have a greater effect on the clearance of kelch13 mutant compared with wild-type parasites (mean difference in PCt1/2 according to seropositivity, −0.22 to −0.61 h faster in kelch13 mutants compared with wild-type parasites). Naturally acquired immunity accelerates the clearance of artemisinin-resistant parasites in patients with falciparum malaria and may confound the current working definition of artemisinin resistance. Immunity may also play an important role in the emergence and transmission potential of artemisinin-resistant parasites.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyaud Rahman ◽  
Maria Jesus Sanchez Martin ◽  
Shamdeo Persaud ◽  
Nicolas Ceron ◽  
Dwayne Kellman ◽  
...  

Abstract Because of concerns about possible emergence of artemisinin resistance strains of Plasmodium falciparum in mining areas of the interior of Guyana, a 7-day artesunate trial was conducted from March to December 2014. The day-3 parasite clearance rate, the efficacy of artesunate at day 28, and polymorphism of Kelch 13 (PfK13)—the marker of artemisinin resistance—were assessed. The study confirmed the continued sensitivity of P falciparum to artemisinin. A 7-day course of artesunate was 100% efficacious with only 2% (95% confidence interval, .1%–10.9%) of enrolled subjects positive at day 3. All day-0 parasite samples were wild type. Continued resistance monitoring is nevertheless recommended, given the widespread availability and uncontrolled use of artemisinin drugs in mining areas of Guyana.


Author(s):  
Eduard Rovira-Vallbona ◽  
Nguyen Van Hong ◽  
Johanna H Kattenberg ◽  
Ro Mah Huan ◽  
Nguyen Thi Thu Hien ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have significantly contributed to reduce Plasmodium falciparum malaria burden in Vietnam, but their efficacy is challenged by treatment failure of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine ACT in Southern provinces. Objectives To assess the efficacy of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Gia Lai, Central Vietnam, and determine parasite resistance to artemisinin (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02604966). Methods Sixty patients received either dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (4 mg/kg/day, 3 days; n = 33) or artesunate monotherapy (4 mg/kg/day, 3 days; n = 27) followed by dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (AS + DHA/PPQ). Clinical phenotypes were determined during a 42 day follow-up and analysed together with ex vivo susceptibility to antimalarials and molecular markers of drug resistance. Results Day 3 positivity rate was significantly higher in the AS + DHA/PPQ arm compared with dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (70.4% versus 39.4%, P = 0.016). Parasite clearance time was 95.2 h (AS + DHA/PPQ) versus 71.9 h (dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine, P = 0.063) and parasite clearance half-life was 7.4 h (AS + DHA/PPQ) versus 7.0 h (dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine, P = 0.140). Adequate clinical and parasitological response at Day 42 was 100% in both arms. By RT–qPCR, 36% (19/53) patients remained positive until Day 7. No recurrences were detected. kelch13 artemisinin resistance mutations were found in 87% (39/45) of isolates and 50% (20/40) were KEL1/C580Y. The piperaquine resistance marker plasmepsin-2 was duplicated in 10.4% (5/48). Isolates from Day 3-positive patients (n = 18) had higher ex vivo survival rates to artemisinin compounds (P < 0.048) and prevalence of kelch13 mutations (P = 0.005) than Day 3-negative patients (n = 5). The WHO definition of artemisinin resistance was fulfilled in 60% (24/40) of cases. Conclusions Although dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine remained effective to treat P. falciparum, the high Day 3 positivity rate and prevalence of KEL1 strains calls for continuous monitoring of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine efficacy in Central Vietnam.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (49) ◽  
pp. 12513-12518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana M. Sá ◽  
Sarah R. Kaslow ◽  
Michael A. Krause ◽  
Viviana A. Melendez-Muniz ◽  
Rebecca E. Salzman ◽  
...  

Concerns about malaria parasite resistance to treatment with artemisinin drugs (ARTs) have grown with findings of prolonged parasite clearance t1/2s (>5 h) and their association with mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Kelch-propeller protein K13. Here, we describe a P. falciparum laboratory cross of K13 C580Y mutant with C580 wild-type parasites to investigate ART response phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. After genotyping >400 isolated progeny, we evaluated 20 recombinants in vitro: IC50 measurements of dihydroartemisinin were at similar low nanomolar levels for C580Y- and C580-type progeny (mean ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.62–1.61), whereas, in a ring-stage survival assay, the C580Y-type progeny had 19.6-fold (95% CI, 9.76–39.2) higher average counts. In splenectomized Aotus monkeys treated with three daily doses of i.v. artesunate, t1/2 calculations by three different methods yielded mean differences of 0.01 h (95% CI, −3.66 to 3.67), 0.80 h (95% CI, −0.92 to 2.53), and 2.07 h (95% CI, 0.77–3.36) between C580Y and C580 infections. Incidences of recrudescence were 57% in C580Y (4 of 7) versus 70% in C580 (7 of 10) infections (−13% difference; 95% CI, −58% to 35%). Allelic substitution of C580 in a C580Y-containing progeny clone (76H10) yielded a transformant (76H10C580Rev) that, in an infected monkey, recrudesced regularly 13 times over 500 d. Frequent recrudescences of ART-treated P. falciparum infections occur with or without K13 mutations and emphasize the need for improved partner drugs to effectively eliminate the parasites that persist through the ART component of combination therapy.


2016 ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
Thi Hang Giang Phan ◽  
Dinh Chien Huynh

Background: Malaria is still remains a public health disease with high circulating levels, each year causes the death of about 1.5 million people worldwide, and almost all deaths are caused by falciparum malaria. The emergence of multidrug-resistant P. falciparum parasites has made these drugs useless in many areas where malaria is endemic. As with earlier antimalarial drugs,parasite resistance to artemisinin and its derivatives has emerged in Southeast Asia. Evaluate the effectiveness of antimalarial drug is an essential activity for assessing sensitivity of drug resistance are taking a positive contribution to the prevention of malaria. Research objective: To evaluate the rate of delayed parasite clearance (DPC) in uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum patient after 3 days treatment with DHA-PPQ in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province. Research methods: Cross-sectional studyandempirical research. The research samples included all patients with falciparum malaria uncomplicated in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province agreed to participate in our study. There are 84 patients were collected smears and whole blood samples before and after 3 days of treatment with DHA-PPQ for evaluating parasitemiae by microscopy method and Real time PCR. Results: In total 84 samples of malaria patients were collected to determine the rate of delayed parasite clearance (DPC) after 3 days of treatment with DHA-PPQ, there were 22 samples (26.2%) are parasites in blood after treatment 3days determined by microscopy; Real time PCR with 33 samples (39.3%) were parasites in the blood after treatment 3 days. Conclusion: The epidemiology of malaria in our study had a rate of delayed parasite clearance (DPC)after treatment with DHA-PPQ 3 days were 26.2% (22/84 samples) determined by microscopy and 39.3% (33/84 samples) by Real time PCR. As defined by WHO, the study results contribute to the initial report suspected artemisinin resistance occurs in endemic areas of our research. Key words: Plasmodium falciparum, Artemisinin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minh Cuong Duong ◽  
Oanh Kieu Nguyet Pham ◽  
Phong Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Van Vinh Chau Nguyen ◽  
Phu Hoan Nguyen

Abstract Background Drug-resistant falciparum malaria is an increasing public health burden. This study examined the magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum infection and the patterns and predictors of treatment failure in Vietnam. Methods Medical records of all 443 patients with malaria infection admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases between January 2015 and December 2018 were used to extract information on demographics, risk factors, symptoms, laboratory tests, treatment, and outcome. Results More than half (59.8%, 265/443, CI 55.1–64.4%) of patients acquired Plasmodium falciparum infection of whom 21.9% (58/265, CI 17.1–27.4%) had severe malaria, while 7.2% (19/265, CI 4.6–10.9%) and 19.2% (51/265, CI 14.7–24.5%) developed early treatment failure (ETF) and late treatment failure (LTF) respectively. Among 58 patients with severe malaria, 14 (24.1%) acquired infection in regions where artemisinin resistance has been documented including Binh Phuoc (11 patients), Dak Nong (2 patients) and Gia Lai (1 patient). Under treatment with intravenous artesunate, the median (IQR) parasite half-life of 11 patients coming from Binh Phuoc was 3 h (2.3 to 8.3 h), two patients coming from Dak Nong was 2.8 and 5.7 h, and a patient coming from Gia Lai was 6.5 h. Most patients (98.5%, 261/265) recovered completely. Four patients with severe malaria died. Severe malaria was statistically associated with receiving treatment at previous hospitals (P < 0.001), hepatomegaly (P < 0.001) and number of inpatient days (P < 0.001). Having severe malaria was a predictor of ETF (AOR 6.96, CI 2.55–19.02, P < 0.001). No predictor of LTF was identified. Conclusions Plasmodium falciparum remains the prevalent malaria parasite. Despite low mortality rate, severe malaria is not rare and is a significant predictor of ETF. To reduce the risk for ETF, studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of combination therapy including parenteral artesunate and a parenteral partner drug for severe malaria. The study alerts the possibility of drug-resistant malaria in Africa and other areas in Vietnam, which are known as non-endemic areas of anti-malarial drug resistance. A more comprehensive study using molecular technique in these regions is required to completely understand the magnitude of drug-resistant malaria and to design appropriate control strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Riloha Rivas ◽  
Marian Warsame ◽  
Ramona Mbá Andeme ◽  
Salomón Nsue Esidang ◽  
Policarpo Ricardo Ncogo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) are the currently recommended first- and second-line therapies for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections in Equatorial Guinea. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of these artemisinin-based combinations and detect mutations in P. falciparum kelch13-propeller domain gene (Pfkelch13). Methods A single-arm prospective study evaluating the efficacy of ASAQ and AL at three sites: Malabo, Bata and Ebebiyin was conducted between August 2017 and July 2018. Febrile children aged six months to 10 years with confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum infection and other inclusion criteria were sequentially enrolled first in ASAQ and then in AL at each site, and followed up for 28 days. Clinical and parasitological parameters were assessed. The primary endpoint was PCR-adjusted adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR). Samples on day-0 were analysed for mutations in Pfkelch13 gene. Results A total 264 and 226 patients were enrolled in the ASAQ and AL treatment groups, respectively. Based on per-protocol analysis, PCR-adjusted cure rates of 98.6% to 100% and 92.4% to 100% were observed in patients treated with ASAQ and AL, respectively. All study children in both treatment groups were free of parasitaemia by day-3. Of the 476 samples with interpretable results, only three samples carried non-synonymous Pfkelch13 mutations (E433D and A578S), and none of them is the known markers associated with artemisinin resistance. Conclusion The study confirmed high efficacy of ASAQ and AL for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum infections as well as the absence of delayed parasite clearance and Pfkelch13 mutations associated with artemisinin resistance. Continued monitoring of the efficacy of these artemisinin-based combinations, at least every two years, along with molecular markers associated with artemisinin and partner drug resistance is imperative to inform national malaria treatment policy and detect resistant parasites early. Trial registration ACTRN12617000456358, Registered 28 March 2017; http://www.anzctr.org.au/trial/MyTrial.aspx


Nature ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 520 (7549) ◽  
pp. 683-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alassane Mbengue ◽  
Souvik Bhattacharjee ◽  
Trupti Pandharkar ◽  
Haining Liu ◽  
Guillermina Estiu ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theerayot Kobasa ◽  
Eldin Talundzic ◽  
Rungniran Sug-aram ◽  
Patcharida Boondat ◽  
Ira F. Goldman ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the most effective and widely used treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria and is a cornerstone for malaria control and prevention globally. Resistance to artemisinin derivatives has been confirmed in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and manifests as slow parasite clearance in patients and reduced ring stage susceptibility to artemisinins in survival assays. The P. falciparum kelch13 gene mutations associated with artemisinin-resistant parasites are now widespread in the GMS. We genotyped 277 samples collected during an observational study from 2012 to 2016 from eight provinces in Thailand to identify P. falciparum kelch13 mutations. The results were combined with previously reported genotyping results from Thailand to construct a map illustrating the evolution of P. falciparum kelch13 mutations from 2007 to 2016 in that country. Different mutant alleles were found in strains with different geographical origins. The artemisinin resistance-conferring Y493H and R539T mutations were detected mainly in eastern Thailand (bordering Cambodia), while P574L was found only in western Thailand and R561H only in northwestern Thailand. The C580Y mutation was found across the entire country and was nearing fixation along the Thai-Cambodia border. Overall, the prevalence of artemisinin resistance mutations increased over the last 10 years across Thailand, especially along the Thai-Cambodia border. Molecular surveillance and therapeutic efficacy monitoring should be intensified in the region to further assess the extent and spread of artemisinin resistance.


Author(s):  
Lucie Paloque ◽  
Romain Coppée ◽  
Barbara H. Stokes ◽  
Nina F. Gnädig ◽  
Karamoko Niaré ◽  
...  

Partial artemisinin resistance, defined in patients as a delayed parasite clearance following artemisinin-based treatment, is conferred by non-synonymous mutations in the Kelch beta-propeller domain of the Plasmodium falciparum k13 ( pfk13 ) gene. Here, we carried out in vitro selection over a one-year period on a West African P. falciparum strain isolated from Kolle (Mali) under a dose-escalating artemisinin regimen. After 18 cycles of sequential drug pressure, the selected parasites exhibited enhanced survival to dihydroartemisinin in the ring-stage survival assay (RSA 0-3h = 9.2%). Sanger and whole-genome sequence analyses identified the PfK13 P413A mutation, localized in the BTB/POZ domain, upstream of the propeller domain. This mutation was sufficient to confer in vitro artemisinin resistance when introduced into the PfK13 coding sequence of the parasite strain Dd2 by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. These results together with structural studies of the protein demonstrate that the propeller domain is not the sole in vitro mediator of PfK13-mediated artemisinin resistance, and highlight the importance of monitoring for mutations throughout PfK13.


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