Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"CYP3A and CYP2D6 variability in antimalarial pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics across populations: a narrative review.","authors":"Ursula Benz, Amy Junnila, Günter C Müller, Patricia Schlagenhauf, Camilla Rothe, Markus Schwarz","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06181-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06181-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria remains a global health burden, requiring optimised antimalarial therapies. This review examines the role of CYP450 3A family and 2D6 alleles in antimalarial drug metabolism, highlighting pharmacogenetics and distribution across populations. A narrative literature review was conducted using a structured literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to evaluate how CYP3A and CYP2D6 alleles affect the metabolism of quinine, artemether-lumefantrine, primaquine and tafenoquine. The review analysed genetic variations and interactions with other drugs. CYP3A alleles influence quinine metabolism, with normally functioning alleles (CYP3A4*1 or CYP3A5*1) associated with higher metabolism rates, while decreased- or non-functional alleles (CYP3A4*1B or CYP3A5*3, *6, *7) are associated with reduced metabolism. The impact of CYP3A alleles on artemether-lumefantrine metabolism is less clear but may be relevant in pregnancy, individuals with HIV receiving efavirenz, and individuals with tuberculosis receiving rifampicin. CYP2D6 alleles associated with poor or intermediate metaboliser phenotypes may contribute to primaquine treatment failure, while interactions with drugs like chloroquine or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine may elevate primaquine plasma concentrations. Tafenoquine could represent a potential alternative in individuals with reduced CYP2D6 activity, as current human studies have not shown an increased relapse risk, although clinical evidence remains limited. Understanding these genetic differences could help explain variability in antimalarial drug exposure and treatment response across diverse malaria-endemic populations. Genotyping may help explain variability in drug exposure or treatment response in selected clinical settings. Pharmacogenetic insights may therefore support safer and more effective antimalarial therapies worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13675977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149207382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strengthening geospatial surveillance for malaria control and elimination in Indonesia: a meeting report.","authors":"Abdillah Farkhan, Massaya Sirimatayanant, Iqbal R F Elyazar, Karina Dian Lestari, Fadjar S M Silalahi, Helen Dewi Prameswari, Hermawan Susanto, Era Susanti, Riskha Tiara Puspa Dewi, Dedy Supriyanto, Sri Budi Fajariyani, Made Bhagaskara Hadi Prawira, Septian Suhandono, Richard James Maude, Chawarat Rotejanaprasert","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06184-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06184-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As Indonesia progresses toward malaria elimination, geospatial analysis offers opportunities to strengthen surveillance, improve intervention targeting, and support data-informed decision-making. However, despite increasing availability of georeferenced surveillance data, the routine use of geographic information systems (GIS) within malaria programs remains uneven. A three-day consultation and GIS training workshop was conducted in Jakarta, bringing together 25 representatives from National and Sub-National Malaria Programs and other disease control units. The workshop included hands-on R-based spatial analysis, followed by semi-structured focus group discussions exploring current practices, barriers, and potential strategies for strengthening geospatial surveillance. Participants reported growing recognition of the value of geospatial data and described surveillance platforms that routinely capture spatially referenced information; however, these data were often used primarily for basic visualization. Key challenges included limited capacity in advanced GIS and spatial modelling, high staff turnover, data quality concerns, fragmented health information systems, and infrastructure constraints, particularly in remote settings. Participants identified opportunities to strengthen applied training and mentorship, improve data quality and interoperability across platforms, and gradually integrate geospatial analysis into routine planning and resource allocation. The consultation highlighted both progress and continuing challenges in operationalizing geospatial analysis within Indonesia's malaria surveillance system. Continued investment in workforce capacity, data quality, infrastructure, and system integration may help strengthen the translation of routinely collected geospatial data into programmatic decision-making for malaria elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13660323/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149182831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between number of previous malaria episodes and treatment failure among children and adults with laboratory-confirmed Plasmodium infection treated with pyronaridine-artesunate in Gabon: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma, Augusto Meneguim, Rella Zoleko Manego, Francine Ntoumi, Diane Egger-Adam, Jangsik Shin, Ayola Akim Adegnika, Sarah Arbe-Barnes, Isabelle Borghini-Fuhrer, Stephan Duparc, Peter G Kremsner, Michael Ramharter, Jackie Cook, Mirjam Groger","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06147-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06147-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a public health challenge in Gabon. Pyronaridine-artesunate is an effective oral treatment for uncomplicated malaria. In real-world context, treatment failures, though still rare, are expected to be more frequent than in clinical trials. Prior malaria episodes have been suggested as risk factor for treatment failure. However, most evidence relies on self-reported history, which is prone to bias.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A secondary data analysis of the CANTAM study, a prospective multicenter single arm open-label phase IIIB/IV study assessing the safety and efficacy of pyronaridine-artesunate in real-world context, was conducted. Adults and children weighing ≥ 5 kg with uncomplicated malaria were included. Data from the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Gabon, were used in this sub-group analyses to assess the impact of previous malaria episodes on the risk for treatment failure, measured both as recurrence and recrudescence. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From June 2017 to March 2019, 2,082 patients were enrolled in Gabon; 1,969 were included in the intention-to-treat and 1,687 in the per-protocol analysis. Adults comprised 22.6% and males 53.7% of participants. In the per-protocol population, 129 (7.7%) participants experienced recurrence from which 22 (1.3%) were recrudescence. Repeated malaria episodes accounted for 294 (17.4%) of the malaria cases. Each one-year increase in age was associated with 11% decrease in the odds of recurrence (OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.86-0.92; p-value < 0.001) and recrudescence (OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.81-0.97; p-value 0.007). Previous malaria was associated with recurrence (OR 1.96; 95%CI 1.31-2.94; p-value 0.001) and recrudescence (OR 2.44; 95%CI 1.01-5.94; p-value 0.049) in the per-protocol multivariate analysis. The association between prior malaria and treatment failure was modified by age, indicating that treatment failure was less associated with previous exposure in older children.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Previous malaria episodes may constitute a surrogate marker for increased risk of recurrence and recrudescence, particularly in younger children. This association may reflect increased vulnerability or transient alterations in host immunity, although other unmeasured factors may also contribute. This understanding could improve malaria management in high-transmission settings, highlighting the need for targeted follow-up of patients at highest risk of treatment failure.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13587473/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149001997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short report: surveillance of hrp2/hrp3 deletions in Plasmodium falciparum within Haiti, 2021-2023, using RDTs.","authors":"Graham A Matulis, Haley P Smith, Rachel S Katich, Navneet Kour, Korey L Delp, Christina E Douglas, Ian Pshea-Smith, Abigail A Lilak, Bernard Okech, Alexandre Existe, Ian Sutherland, Christopher P Stefan, Keersten Ricks, James C Dunford, Le Jiang, Jacques Boncy, Jeffrey W Koehler, Michael E von Fricken","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06108-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06108-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria continues to be endemic within Haiti, despite numerous strategies to reduce its incidence. In 2012, malaria surveillance in clinical settings shifted away from microscopy to HRP2 based Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) as the primary form of screening. While this approach removes obstacles and delays associated with seeking skilled microscopy, the global emergence of malaria parasites containing HRP deletions has raised concerns of selective pressure and reduced sensitivity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Stored RDTs from febrile patients presenting to clinics in the Ouest and Sud Departments of Haiti were collected between 2021-2023. Total nucleic acid (TNA) was extracted from the entire RDT test strip. TNA was tested for Plasmodium spp. 18S rRNA. Samples testing positive by the 18S rRNA were tested with a triplex assay targeting P. falciparum-specific genes Pfrnr2e2, Pfhrp2, and Pfhrp3. Only samples with successful amplification of Pfrnr2e2 were assessed for Pfhrp2 and/or Pfhrp3 deletions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 2,073 RDT samples analyzed, 193 were positive for Plasmodium spp. 18S rRNA, 49 of which came from negative RDTs (2.61% false-negative rate). Analyses of positive and negative RDT samples in which the Pfrnr2e2 gene successfully amplified resulted in 34 samples being Pfhrp2+/Pfhrp3- (33 from positive RDTs, 1 from a negative RDT), three samples being Pfhrp2-/Pfhrp3+ (all from positive RDTs), and three samples being Pfhrp2-/Pfhrp3- (2 from positive RDTs, 1 from a negative RDT). All deletions were reported in the Sud department. While samples with Pfhrp3 deletions were distributed throughout the Sud department, samples with Pfhrp2 deletions were located exclusively in Port-a-Piment, Les Anglais, and Tiburon.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results, and the recent reports of Pfhrp2 gene deletions in the Dominican Republic, demonstrate a growing threat to the use of HRP2-based RDTs within Haiti and throughout the entire island of Hispaniola. Future studies making use of whole blood samples should be conducted to confirm these findings. Additional studies should also be conducted to continue monitoring the spread and persistence of these gene deletions by sampling different Departments within Haiti.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528009/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of mefloquine dose on outcome of uncomplicated falciparum malaria treated with artesunate-mefloquine: a WWARN systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.","authors":"","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05963-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05963-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>A combination of mefloquine associated with artesunate (AS-MQ) was the first artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) to be used widely for acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Individual patient data from 31 studies of patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria treated with various AS-MQ regimens (target mefloquine dose 25 mg/kg), conducted in Asia, Africa and South America, were pooled and analysed to investigate the effects of MQ mg/kg dosing on malaria recurrence and other clinical, parasitological and tolerability endpoints.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 6,761 patients were enrolled in clinical studies conducted between 1995 and 2018; the majority (74%) were from Asia. The median age of study participants was 18 years (interquartile range IQR 8-30 years), of whom 13.5% (915/6761) were aged less than 5 years old. Participants received an estimated median [range] total mg/kg dose of mefloquine and artesunate of 25 [6.8-60] and 12 [3.6-33.3] respectively, and 1,572 (23.4%) participants were treated with the coformulation. The PCR-corrected recrudescence rate 42 days after any ASMQ treatment was 2.4% for patients enrolled in Asia and 2.5% in Africa, before artemisinin resistance emerged. Corresponding rates in children aged 1 to < 5 years were 2.9% and 3.3%. After adjusting for background artemisinin resistance, the hazard of recrudescence was higher in children aged 1 to < 5 years than in adults in Asia, but not in Africa (Asia, HR 3.01, 95%CI 1.60-5.64, p < 0.001; Africa HR 5.18, 95% CI 0.61-44.28, p = 0.133). There was only one recrudescent infection in South America. A significant MQ dose-effect was observed in Asia in patients treated with 3-dose regimens (AHR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.96, p = 0.003 for 1 mg/kg increase in dose). Vomiting rates within an hour of dosing were highest in children 1- 5 years of age (n = 140) at 3.4% doses (13/378) compared to 1.7% (20/1,168) in children 5-11 years (n = 476), and 1.1% (47/4,191) in patients 12 years of age or older (n = 2027) (p < 0.001, test for trend).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AS-MQ administered over three days is a highly efficacious ACT in low to moderate transmission areas without artemisinin resistance. While further optimisation of the mefloquine dose in the coformulation in children aged 1-5 years could be considered, dose-related early vomiting is highest in this age group and may preclude this.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13505090/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148813303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Use of insecticide-treated nets (ITN) and intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) for malaria prevention and its associated factors among pregnant women in Sub-Sahara Africa.","authors":"Eyob Akalewold Alemu, Mahlet Alehegn Tesfa, Solomon Gedlu Nigatu, Tilahun Yemanu Birhan, Gelila Yitageasu, Lidetu Demoze, Asefa Adimasu Taddese","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06109-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06109-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13505056/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148819095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ex vivo susceptibility to dihydroartemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum patient isolates from Eastern Rwanda, 2025.","authors":"Rafael Oliveira, Jean Pierre Musabyimana, Emmanuel Kabalisa, Pierre Gashema, Fabien Nshimiyimana, Jean Damascene Buregeya, Immaculee Uwumutima, Eugene Hitimana, Felix Habarugira, Christian Ngarambe, Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Jules Ndoli Minega, Frank P Mockenhaupt, Welmoed van Loon","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06107-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06107-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The emergence of artemisinin partial resistance (AR) in Plasmodium falciparum, characterized by mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 (PfK13) gene and delayed parasite clearance, represents a significant threat to malaria control in Africa. While the Ring-Stage Survival Assay (RSA) is the phenotypic gold standard for AR detection, its technical complexity limits scalability. The Extended Recovery Ring-Stage Survival Assay (eRRSA), utilizing quantitative PCR (qPCR), has been proposed as a more scalable alternative for molecular surveillance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In early 2025, 19 clinical P. falciparum isolates were collected and analyzed from the Kirehe district of Rwanda. AR phenotypes were characterized using both ex vivo RSA (72-h microscopy) and eRRSA (120-h qPCR). Parasite genotypes were determined via Sanger sequencing of the PfK13 propeller domain. Statistical analyses, including Spearman correlation and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, were applied to compare assay performance and define resistance thresholds.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Non-synonymous PfK13 mutations were identified in 52.6% (10/19) of isolates, predominantly the validated R561H marker (31.6%). The N490T mutation (2/19) was detected for the first time in Rwanda. RSA-confirmed AR (survival rate >1%) was present in 38.9% of valid assays. The R561H mutation was significantly associated with elevated RSA survival (P=0.02), and the N490T isolates had high survival rates. Two further rare variants, P667S (2/18) and F699C (1/18), did not show elevated survival rates. eRRSA recovery rates correlated with RSA survival (P=0.003, ρ=-0.7); however, eRRSA exhibited moderate diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.86). A recovery rate threshold of 59.5 yielded high sensitivity (100%) but limited specificity (67%) for identifying RSA-defined resistance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings confirm the continued expansion of the PfK13 R561H lineage in Rwanda and provide a first ex vivo indication that the N490T variant confers an AR phenotype. While the eRRSA shows potential as a high-throughput screening tool for surveillance due to its high sensitivity, further refinement of recovery thresholds and clinical validation are required to improve its predictive specificity.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148795094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Field evaluation of SumiLarv^™ 2MR larvicide for controlling the invasive malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in Ethiopia: a randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Alemayehu Dagne, Patricia Doumbe-Belisse, Teshome Degefa, Ahmed Zeynudin, Biniam Lukas, Adane Eyasu, Kasahun Eba, Fatou Jaiteh, Dereje Geleta, Ephrem Lejore, Ebisa Erena, Eba Alemayehu Simma, Koen Peeters Grietens, David Weetman, Martin J Donnelly, Alison M Reynolds, Anne L Wilson, Delenasaw Yewhalaw","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06089-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06089-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The establishment of the invasive malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in Ethiopia threatens existing malaria control efforts. Unlike native vectors, An. stephensi thrives in both urban and rural areas, lacks clear seasonal peaks of abundance, and often breeds in artificial water containers. SumiLarv^™ 2MR containing the larvicide pyriproxyfen (PPF) offers a promising method for controlling the immature stages of An. stephensi in such habitats. This habitat-randomised controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of SumiLarv^™ 2MR against An. stephensi in Danan town, Somali region, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Entomological surveillance identified 102 large artificial containers (\"birkas\") which were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive either SumiLarv^™ 2MR (treatment arm) or no treatment (control arm). SumiLarv^™ 2MR was introduced into the birkas at a dose of one disc per 200 L of water. Morphological identification was performed on adult mosquitoes emerging from control containers, while molecular analysis was conducted on both morphologically identified adult mosquitoes and dead pupae collected from the control and treatment arm. The residual efficacy of PPF content of the remaining discs was also analysed. Inhibition of adult mosquito emergence was assessed every 2 weeks for 40 weeks to determine the duration of efficacy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The number of SumiLarv^™ 2MR remained constant in the treatment arm throughout the study period. No significant differences were observed in water volume, pH, or temperature between the two study arms. Introduction of SumiLarv^™ 2MR resulted in complete (100%) inhibition of adult emergence throughout the 40 weeks' study period (t = 6.26, p < 0.05). Morphological identification of a sub-samples of adult mosquitoes emerging from control containers at different time points confirmed the presence of An. stephensi (99.85%) and An. gambiae s.l. (0.15%). Molecular analysis of morphologically identified adults from control containers and dead pupae from treatment containers confirmed that 98.91% were An.stephensi. Post-trial analysis showed that approximately 82.20% of the original PPF had been released from SumiLarv^™ 2MR during study period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The high and sustained efficacy of SumiLarv^™ 2MR demonstrated in this study suggests that it is a suitable tool for controlling An. stephensi in large artificial water storage containers.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13531892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148874554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The monophyly of Nycteria and Polychromophilus parasites: a missing piece in the evolution of malaria and other Haemosporida.","authors":"M Andreína Pacheco, Juliane Schaer, Oskar Werb, Beatriz Mello, Ananías A Escalante","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06086-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06086-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Haemosporida is a diverse order of vector-borne apicomplexan parasites infecting terrestrial vertebrates worldwide, including humans, but the evolutionary relationships among its genera remain unresolved. The phylogenetic placement of two bat-restricted genera, Nycteria and Polychromophilus, both of which lack erythrocytic schizogony, has varied across studies depending on taxon sampling and marker choice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To address this problem, an expanded dataset of near-complete mitochondrial (mtDNA) genomes together with nine nuclear loci were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA recovered Nycteria and Polychromophilus as a strongly supported monophyletic clade. In contrast, analyses based only on the three mitochondrial coding genes (CDS) or a reduced nuclear dataset failed to recover their monophyly and showed low support and extensive topological conflict at deeper nodes. These results indicate that the near-complete mitochondrial genomes recover phylogenetic signal that is not captured by reduced mitochondrial coding sequences or partial nuclear datasets. Molecular dating analyses further showed that divergence estimates for a putative Nycteria-Polychromophilus clade are compatible with the proposed times for bat diversification and consistent with the broader haemosporidian timescale. When the Nycteria-Polychromophilus clade was incorporated as a calibration prior, divergence-time estimates became more precise without altering the overall evolutionary timeframe. Substantial mitochondrial gene-order rearrangements in a distinct Nycteria lineage were confirmed, highlighting structural divergence within this bat-associated group. In addition, heterogeneity in rates across mtDNA haemosporidian lineages was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Together, these findings support the existence of a distinct bat-associated clade whose deeper placement and evolutionary significance should be tested with broader phylogenomic sampling.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13445807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148685059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Building the toolkit to address malaria resurgence and radical cure of vivax malaria in Ethiopia: a meeting report.","authors":"Tamiru Shibiru Degaga, Heven Sime, Shazia Ruybal-Pesántez, Ashley Osborne, Muthoni Mwaura, Samuel Alemu Bamboro, Hellen Mnjala, Getachew Mekonnen, Saba Ermias, Anneleye Fantahun, Khor Puoch, Semira Abdelmenan, Miraf Mesfin, Yohannes Hailemichael, Endalamaw Gadisa, Dagmawi Hailu, Eyerusalem Beyene, Damtie Lankir, Gebregorgis Teklu, Hassen Mamo, Eyob Amare, Kebede Etana, Yonas Temesgen, Bisrat Nigusse, Wondimagegn Adissu, Asrat Hailu, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, Asnakew Kebede, Jihad Abanegash, Hiwot Teka, Sineshaw Legese, Asefaw Getachew, Bashir Abdi, Mulgeta Minale, Adugna Abera, Geremew Tasew, Ketema Tafess, Abay Sisay, Negash Seyoum, Dereje Dilu, Abdi Aliyi, Angela Devine, Ashenafi Assefa, Sarah Auburn, Kamala Thriemer","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-06050-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-06050-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ethiopia has experienced a substantial resurgence in malaria in recent years, with increasing case numbers and a growing contribution of Plasmodium vivax in several regions. At the same time, new evidence supporting improved radical cure strategies, including high-dose primaquine and single-dose tafenoquine, alongside advances in molecular tools, offers opportunities to address persistent transmission and relapse. Against a backdrop of constrained funding and health system challenges, a stakeholder meeting was convened in Addis Ababa in November 2025 to review emerging evidence and discuss implications for malaria control and elimination in Ethiopia. The two-day meeting brought together 38 representatives from the National Malaria Control Programme, research institutions, regional health bureaus, and implementation partners. Key themes emerging from the meeting included: (i) systemic challenges shaping malaria control, including funding constraints, operational disruptions, and climate-related pressures; (ii) uncertainty around the contribution of relapse to overall P. vivax burden and the potential role of molecular tools to address this gap; (iii) important health system considerations for the introduction of G6PD-guided radical cure, particularly regarding service delivery levels and equity; (iv) the central role of economic evidence, with substantial uncertainty around drug pricing and implementation costs; and (v) the need for strengthened collaboration between researchers and policymakers to support evidence-informed decision-making. The meeting highlighted that, while more effective tools for P. vivax radical cure are available, their adoption in Ethiopia will depend on addressing key evidence gaps, particularly around relapse burden, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. Given the current challenges, there is a pressing need for context specific research and continued dialogue between stakeholders, which will be critical to inform policy decisions and support progress towards malaria elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13425933/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148648653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}