scholarly journals Evidence of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Multidrug Resistance to Artemisinin and Piperaquine in Western Cambodia: Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Open-Label Multicenter Clinical Assessment

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 4719-4726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rithea Leang ◽  
Walter R. J. Taylor ◽  
Denis Mey Bouth ◽  
Lijiang Song ◽  
Joel Tarning ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWestern Cambodia is recognized as the epicenter ofPlasmodium falciparummultidrug resistance. Recent reports of the efficacy of dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-piperaquine (PP), the latest of the artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) recommended by the WHO, have prompted further investigations. The clinical efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in uncomplicated falciparum malaria was assessed in western and eastern Cambodia over 42 days. Day 7 plasma piperaquine concentrations were measured and day 0 isolates tested forin vitrosusceptibilities to piperaquine and mefloquine, polymorphisms in theK13gene, and the copy number of thePfmdr-1gene. A total of 425 patients were recruited in 2011 to 2013. The proportion of patients with recrudescent infections was significantly higher in western (15.4%) than in eastern (2.5%) Cambodia (P<10−3). Day 7 plasma PP concentrations and median 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of PP were independent of treatment outcomes, in contrast to median mefloquine IC50, which were found to be lower for isolates from patients with recrudescent infections (18.7 versus 39.7 nM;P= 0.005). The most significant risk factor associated with DHA-PP treatment failure was infection by parasites carrying theK13mutant allele (odds ratio [OR], 17.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1 to 308;P= 0.04). Our data show evidence ofP. falciparumresistance to PP in western Cambodia, an area of widespread artemisinin resistance. New therapeutic strategies, such as the use of triple ACTs, are urgently needed and must be tested. (This study has been registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry under registration no. ACTRN12614000344695.)

Author(s):  
Melissa Mairet-Khedim ◽  
Rithea Leang ◽  
Camille Marmai ◽  
Nimol Khim ◽  
Saorin Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Artesunate-amodiaquine is a potential therapy for uncomplicated malaria in Cambodia. Methods Between September 2016 and January 2017, artesunate-amodiaquine efficacy and safety were evaluated in a prospective, open-label, single-arm observational study at health centers in Mondulkiri, Pursat and Siem Reap Provinces, Cambodia. Adults and children with microscopically-confirmed Plasmodium falciparum malaria received oral artesunate-amodiaquine once daily for three days plus single-dose primaquine, with follow-up on Days 7, 14, 21 and 28. The primary outcome was Day-28 PCR-adjusted adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR). An amodiaquine parasite survival assay (AQSA) was developed and applied to whole genome sequencing results to evaluate potential amodiaquine resistance molecular markers. Results In 63 patients, Day-28 PCR-adjusted ACPR was 81.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68.9–88.7). Day 3 parasite positivity rate was 44.4% (28/63; 95%CI, 31.9–57.5). All 63 isolates had the K13(C580Y) marker for artemisinin resistance; 79.4% (50/63) had Pfpm2 amplification. The AQSA resistance phenotype (≥45% parasite survival) was expressed in 36.5% (23/63) of isolates and was significantly associated with treatment failure (P = 0.0020). Pfmdr1 mutant haplotypes were N86/184F/D1246 and Pfcrt was CVIET or CVIDT at positions 72–76. Additional Pfcrt mutations were not associated with amodiaquine resistance, but the G353V mutant allele was associated with ACPR compared to Pfmdr1 haplotypes harboring F1068L or S784L/R945P mutations (P = 0.030 and P = 0.0004, respectively). Conclusions For uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Cambodia, artesunate-amodiaquine had inadequate efficacy owing to amodiaquine-resistant P. falciparum. Amodiaquine resistance was not associated with previously identified molecular markers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. Sutherland ◽  
Paul Lansdell ◽  
Mandy Sanders ◽  
Julian Muwanguzi ◽  
Donelly A. van Schalkwyk ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present case histories of four patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine for falciparum malaria in UK hospitals in 2015 to 2016. Each subsequently presented with recurrent symptoms and Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia within 6 weeks of treatment with no intervening travel to countries where malaria is endemic. Parasite isolates, all of African origin, harbored variants at some candidate resistance loci. No evidence of pfk13-mediated artemisinin resistance was found. Vigilance for signs of unsatisfactory antimalarial efficacy among imported cases of malaria is recommended.


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.


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

Author(s):  
Mélissa Mairet-Khedim ◽  
Sandrine Nsango ◽  
Christelle Ngou ◽  
Sandie Menard ◽  
Camille Roesch ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine is increasingly used for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Africa. The efficacy of this combination in Cameroon is poorly documented, while resistance to dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine readily spreads in Southeast Asia. Objectives This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine in Cameroon, as well as the molecular profile and phenotypic susceptibility of collected isolates to dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine. Patients and methods Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine efficacy in 42 days was followed-up for 138 patients presenting non-complicated falciparum malaria. Piperaquine concentration was determined at day 7 for 124 patients. kelch13 gene polymorphisms (n = 150) and plasmepsin2 gene amplification (n = 148) were determined as molecular markers of resistance to dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine, respectively. Parasite susceptibility to dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine was determined using validated in vitro survival assays. Results The efficacy of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine treatment was 100% after PCR correction. The reinfections were not associated with a variation of piperaquine concentration at day 7. Ninety-six percent (144/150) of the samples presented a WT allele of the kelch13 gene. Two percent (3/150) presented the non-synonymous mutation A578S, which is not associated with resistance to dihydroartemisinin. No duplication of the plasmepsin2 gene was observed (0/148). All the samples tested in vitro by survival assays (n = 87) were susceptible to dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine. Conclusions Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine has demonstrated excellent therapeutic efficacy with no evidence of emerging artemisinin or piperaquine resistance in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This observation suggests that dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine could be a sustainable therapeutic solution for P. falciparum malaria if implemented in areas previously free of artemisinin- and piperaquine-resistant parasites, unlike Southeast Asia.


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 &lt; 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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 371 (5) ◽  
pp. 411-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Ashley ◽  
Mehul Dhorda ◽  
Rick M. Fairhurst ◽  
Chanaki Amaratunga ◽  
Parath Lim ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 7049-7055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamala Thriemer ◽  
Nguyen Van Hong ◽  
Anna Rosanas-Urgell ◽  
Bui Quang Phuc ◽  
Do Manh Ha ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTReduced susceptibility ofPlasmodium falciparumtoward artemisinin derivatives has been reported from the Thai-Cambodian and Thai-Myanmar borders. Following increasing reports from central Vietnam of delayed parasite clearance after treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ), the current first-line treatment, we carried out a study on the efficacy of this treatment. Between September 2012 and February 2013, we conducted a 42-dayin vivoandin vitroefficacy study in Quang Nam Province. Treatment was directly observed, and blood samples were collected twice daily until parasite clearance. In addition, genotyping, quantitative PCR (qPCR), andin vitrosensitivity testing of isolates was performed. The primary endpoints were parasite clearance rate and time. The secondary endpoints included PCR-corrected and uncorrected cure rates, qPCR clearance profiles,in vitrosensitivity results (for chloroquine, dihydroartemisinin, and piperaquine), and genotyping for mutations in the Kelch 13 propeller domain. Out of 672 screened patients, 95 were recruited and 89 available for primary endpoint analyses. The median parasite clearance time (PCT) was 61.7 h (interquartile range [IQR], 47.6 to 83.2 h), and the median parasite clearance rate had a slope half-life of 6.2 h (IQR, 4.4 to 7.5 h). The PCR-corrected efficacy rates were estimated at 100% at day 28 and 97.7% (95% confidence interval, 91.2% to 99.4%) at day 42. At day 3, theP. falciparumprevalence by qPCR was 2.5 times higher than that by microscopy. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of isolates with delayed clearance times (≥72 h) were significantly higher than those with normal clearance times for all three drugs. Delayed parasite clearance (PCT, ≥72 h) was significantly higher among day 0 samples carrying the 543 mutant allele (47.8%) than those carrying the wild-type allele (1.8%;P= 0.048). In central Vietnam, the efficacy of DHA-PPQ is still satisfactory, but the parasite clearance time and rate are indicative of emerging artemisinin resistance. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01775592.)


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