Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"Association of interleukin-33 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum infection.","authors":"Nada H Aljarba, Fatimah Alghnnam, Arwa A Al-Qahtani, Tahani Mohamed Al-Hazani, Abdullah Al Marzan, Marie Fe F Bohol, Fatimah Alhamlan, Mohammed I Shafeai, Fuad H Rudiny, Ali M Motaen, Saad Alkahtani, Ahmed A Al-Qahtani","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05996-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05996-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Host immune genetic variation contributes to inter-individual differences in susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria and parasite-burden response. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), an IL-1 family alarmin signaling through ST2, regulates innate and adaptive immune responses during infection. Although IL-33/ST2 signaling has been implicated in malaria-related immune regulation, the contribution of IL-33 genetic variation to human P. falciparum susceptibility remains insufficiently defined.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This case-control study included 250 individuals with active P. falciparum malaria and 200 healthy controls from the Jazan region of Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Thirteen IL-33 SNPs were genotyped, and associations were evaluated in relation to malaria susceptibility, parasite-density strata, age-defined patient groups, haplotypes, and luciferase reporter activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>rs10118795 CT was associated with increased malaria susceptibility (OR = 1.584, 95% CI 1.068-2.350; p = 0.022), whereas rs55726619 CT showed a protective association (OR = 0.042, 95% CI 0.002-0.725; p < 0.001). rs55726619 showed the most consistent parasite-burden association, including with the highest parasite-density category. In children aged 1-5 years, rs10815393 CC was strongly enriched compared with patients aged ≥ 6 years (100.0% vs. 2.1%; χ² = 100.8; p < 0.001; adjusted OR = 650.46, 95% CI 32.88-12869.02; Fisher's p = 7.12 × 10⁻¹¹), as was rs55726619 CC (100.0% vs. 7.8%; χ² = 62.04; p < 0.001; adjusted OR = 172.69, 95% CI 9.50-3138.11; Fisher's p = 5.91 × 10⁻⁸). rs1332290 GG showed a nominal age-associated difference (28.6% vs. 16.5%; OR = 0.098, 95% CI 0.005-2.093; p = 0.046). Haplotype set 4 was significantly associated with malaria susceptibility (p = 2.76 × 10⁻⁶), and luciferase reporter assays showed allele-dependent differences in IL-33 regulatory activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IL-33 variants, particularly rs55726619 and rs10815393, may influence P. falciparum susceptibility, parasite-burden response, and age-dependent host genetic effects, supporting IL-33/ST2 signaling as a relevant pathway for further validation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13483537/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148226290","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":"Exploratory analysis of the correlation between precipitation and storms and malaria cases from national surveillance in Mozambique.","authors":"Hengcheng Zhu, Lin Zhang, Euna Khan, Jaideep Srivastava, Mitchel Croal, Baltazar Candrinho, Mariana da Silva, Kelly M Searle","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05959-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05959-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Climate change is impacting the seasonal weather trends. Mozambique is one country that has been experiencing significant impacts of climate change. These impacts include changing weather patterns and more frequent and intense storms. Mozambique also has the 5th highest malaria prevalence globally. These storms have all impacted the efficiency of the Mozambique National Malaria Control Program to achieve their goals. The goal of our study was to determine the appropriate temporal lag between high precipitation events and malaria risk in Mozambique. This knowledge is imperative to understand when and how to best respond the impacts of these events.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Malaria monthly case count data at the district level were provided by the Mozambique National Malaria Control Program. Precipitation data were obtained from NASA GIS DISC Earth Data and were spatially aggregated to the district and temporally aggregated to the month to match the malaria surveillance data. We investigated the correlation between precipitation and malaria-related values at the district level each month accounting for spatio-temporal autocorrelation. We used Pearson correlation coefficients to quantify the correlations. We used Poisson generalized linear mixed models to determine the relative risk of malaria associated with precipitation nationally and for each of the three regions in Mozambique.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found evidence of strong spatial variation in malaria cases, malaria hospitalizations, and malaria deaths. There was evidence of a clear temporal relationship between precipitation and malaria cases throughout Mozambique. Nationally, there was an increased relative risk for malaria at an 8-week temporal lag. However, this varied when stratified by region. In the Northern Region there was an increased relative risk for malaria between 6-week and 8-week temporal lags; in the Central region there was an increased relative risk for malaria between 10-week and 12-week temporal lags; and in the Southern region there was an increased relative risk for malaria between 10-week and 13-week temporal lags.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>With increasing storms and changing weather patterns due to climate change there is a need to understand the specifics of the association between elevated precipitation and malaria risk. We found important spatial heterogeneity in temporal lag times between precipitation events and malaria cases in Mozambique.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13479809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148226304","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":"Community perspective on feasibility of malaria mass drug administration: a qualitative evidence from the Eastern Region of Ghana.","authors":"Ignatius Cheng Ndong, Chuo Ennestine Chu, Ndong Henry Ndang, Collins Attuah Baah, George Asumah Adu, Emily Amponsah, Nana Yaw Peprah, Keziah Malm, Olumide Ogundahunsi, Collins Stephen Ahorlu, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05979-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05979-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, particularly in rural high-burden communities. Mass drug administration (MDA) has re-emerged as a complementary strategy to reduce transmission, yet community acceptability and implementation challenges remain underexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pokrom subdistrict following pilot mass drug administration (MDA) interventions. Data were collected through eleven focus group discussions (FGDs), nine with community members and two with healthcare providers, comprising 97 participants, as well as eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) with assemblymen, healthcare providers and personnel of malaria elimination programme. Thes were complemented by field notes. Participants were purposively selected from individuals who had participated in the MDA interventions and provided informed consent. This study explored community perceptions of malaria burden, perceived MDA effectiveness, reported adverse events, health-seeking behaviour, financial implications and acceptability. Transcripts were analysed thematically using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach informed by reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Malaria was widely identified as the most pressing health concern in the subdistrict prior to the MDA intervention, with frequent hospitalisation and substantial household expenditure on treatment reported. Following the MDA interventions, notable reductions in malaria episodes were described, with some households transitioning from frequent infections to rare or no illness. These perceived improvements were accompanied by decreased healthcare-related costs, indicating important financial and economic benefits. Though adverse events, including dizziness, abdominal pain, and weakness, were reported, they were generally perceived as mild and transient. Initial challenges included inadequate community sensitization and negative messaging from some health workers, which temporarily affected uptake. Despite these concerns, willingness to participate in future MDA rounds remained high among community members, with recommendations emphasizing continued sensitization, strengthened drug delivery systems, and enhanced monitoring of side effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The MDA interventions were widely perceived as beneficial in reducing malaria burden and associated household healthcare costs in rural Ghana. Consistent with the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, perceived effectiveness and economic benefits outweighed the burden of transient adverse events, contributing to perceived high community acceptability. Strengthening communication, pharmacovigilance, and community engagement could be critical for sustaining uptake and supporting the potential scale-up of MDA in high-burden malaria settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13251284/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148211953","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":"Assessment of malaria prevalence and determinants among clinically suspected individuals attending Dejen Primary Hospital, East Gojjam Zone, northwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Ayele Emnetu, Asmamaw Habtamu, Agumas Lemlemu, Solomon Yeshanew","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05992-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05992-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, despite ongoing efforts toward its control and elimination. Generating updated evidence on its epidemiology and identifying the factors linked to infection are vital for guiding targeted interventions. This study assessed the prevalence of malaria and its associated determinants among clinically suspected individuals attending Dejen Primary Hospital, Dejen District, northwest Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out from April to November 2024. A total of 385 individuals presenting malaria-related symptoms at Dejen Primary Hospital were enrolled. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and malaria-related variables were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and examined for malaria parasites through standard microscopy procedures. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify key determinants of malaria infection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 46.2% of the study participants tested positive for malaria. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species, accounting for 56.1% of malaria cases. Individuals without formal education had higher odds of malaria infection (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI 0.46-3.28; p = 0.001). Similarly, residing in close proximity to mosquito breeding sites was identified as a significant determinant (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI 0.76-3.25, p = 0.020). Moreover, participants who did not use insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI 0.33-1.84; p = 0.001) or did not receive indoor residual spraying (IRS) (AOR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.27-2.05; p = 0.035) were more likely to be infected compared to those who utilized these preventive measures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Malaria remains highly prevalent among symptomatic individuals attending Dejen Primary Hospital. The findings highlight that low educational status, living near mosquito breeding sites, and inadequate utilization of key preventive measures significantly increase the risk of infection. Strengthening community education, improving environmental management, and ensuring consistent access to and use of malaria prevention strategies are essential for reducing malaria transmission in the study area.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13403853/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148217951","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":"Searching for new candidates for antimalarial therapy: physicochemical and in vitro evaluation of gold(I) and silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes.","authors":"William Castro, Hector R Rangel, Liseth Garibaldi, Wilma Rojas-Campos, Antonio José Hernández, Joe Berroteran, Oriel Sanchez-Velasco, María Cristina Goite, Miguel A Díaz, David Coll, Mariana Hidalgo","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05944-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05944-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The global fight against malaria is currently hindered by the rapid emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. This growing resistance has compromised the efficacy of frontline treatments and has led to the disease continuing to claim thousands of lives each year. Consequently, a new effective and non-toxic anti-malarial drug is urgently needed. In this context, metal-NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes have diverse physicochemical properties that could enhance biological activity and lead to the development of a new drug to combat malaria. On this regard, this study examined the biological activity of two metal-NHC complexes and their NHC precursor in two strains of the parasite, Plasmodium (3D7 and FCR-3), with specific targets.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The synthesis of all metal-NHC complexes was carried out under nitrogen atmosphere using Schlenk techniques. We studied the biological activity of two metal-NHC complexes and their NHC precursor in two Plasmodium strains (3D7 and FCR-3) and the selectivity index. Additionally, the possible interactions of these metal compounds with specific targets were evaluated. These targets included reactive oxygen species (ROS), albumin (BSA), Fe(III) PPIX, and β-hematin. The evaluation also included lipophilicity and ADMET properties. These properties were evaluated through diverse physical and spectroscopic methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The IC₅₀ values of the NHC precursor (L) and the two metal-NHC complexes (1 and 2) were similar in P. falciparum chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant strains. They showed a higher selectivity index than chloroquine and do not cause hemolysis in red blood cells. Additionally, the compounds have a dose-dependent effect on the progression of the P. falciparum erythrocytic cycle, resulting in the accumulation of ring and trophozoite forms at high concentrations in the FCR-3 strain. These compounds may alter the pH of acidic organelles in the cytosol of the parasite, such as the digestive vacuole and the accessory vacuoles. Compounds L, 1 and 2 are capable to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Preliminary studies reported in this paper suggest that the two metal-NHC complexes 1 and 2 interact with targets such as the inhibition of β-hematin and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). They also have lipophilic and physicochemical profiles that correlate with their antiplasmodial efficacy. Both complexes exhibit moderate activity, indicating potential for further evaluation. A plausible explanation is that this behavior arises from the nature of both the ligand and the metal center. Accordingly, these initial findings provide a basis for the further exploration of new antimalarial compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13474834/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218184","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":"Droplet digital PCR assays for Pvmdr1 and Pvcrt-o gene copy number variation determination in Plasmodium vivax.","authors":"Suttipat Srisutham, Kanyarat Boonpeng, Phiraya Pitchayatanakorn, Kaewkanha Kijprasong, Francois H Nosten, Nicholas P J Day, Arjen M Dondorp, Mallika Imwong","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05971-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05971-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>mdr1 and crt-o amplification in Plasmodium vivax has been associated with antimalarial drug resistance and could thus be a molecular marker. Accurate copy number variation (CNV) quantification could provide valuable insights for monitoring resistance trends.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To develop a duplex digital PCR (ddPCR) assay for the simultaneous absolute pvmdr1 and pvcrt-o quantification using pvtubulin as a single-copy internal reference.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Duplex ddPCR assays were optimized to target pvmdr1/pvtubulin and pvcrt-o/pvtubulin. CNV was calculated as the ratio of the absolute concentration of the target gene to the reference.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ddPCR assays were successfully developed and validated. The quantification limits for assays targeting pvmdr1/pvtubulin and pvcrt-o/pvtubulin, based on pvtubulin concentration, were 22.4 ± 3.5 and 21.5 ± 2.6 copies/µL, respectively. Analysis of field samples from Tak (N = 25) and Kanchanaburi Provinces (N = 97), Thailand, revealed that in 2008, 16% of isolates from Tak carried multiple copies of pvmdr1 and all samples possessed a single copy of pvcrt-o. In contrast, samples collected from the Kanchanaburi Province during 2023-2025 showed no evidence of multiple copies of either gene.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This newly developed ddPCR assay provides a robust and highly reproducible tool for monitoring P. vivax drug resistance markers in endemic regions and a potential approach in surveillance programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13479914/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218119","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":"Insecticide-treated net utilization and associated factors among infants in Southwestern Nigeria.","authors":"Olumide Thomas Adeleke, Morenikeji Folasade Olawuwo, Timothy Kayode Samson, Akeem Opeyemi Akinbode, Oludamola Victoria Adeleke","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05995-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05995-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) are essential tools to reduce malaria transmission, morbidity and mortality, especially among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Tĥere is need for context-specific evidence regarding the prevalence of ITN usage and its associated factors in the region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ITN use and factors associated with ITN utilization among infants in Southwestern Nigeria in order to close the ownership-use gap.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,264 caregivers of infants (1-20 weeks) attending 18 immunization clinics in Ogbomoso community in South-west Nigeria. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to the parent/guardian of the study participants. Logistic regression was carried out to identify the determinants of insecticide-treated nets use at 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>62.6% of the participants owned ITNs, while 55.2% of children slept under an ITN the previous night. Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between mothers' (p = 0.006) and fathers' educational levels (p = 0.002) and ITN usage (p < 0.05). However, no sociodemographic factors was significantly associated with ITN use after adjusting for confounders in multiple logistic regression. The awareness of the effectiveness of ITNs as a malaria prevention strategy was found to have significant association with ITN use (OR = 174.402; 95% CI: 40.860-744.396; p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Utilization of ITN among infants remains suboptimal in South-Western Nigeria despite moderate ITN ownership. There is an urgent need to design and deploy appropriate interventions to address misconceptions regarding ITN utilization, in order to move beyond ITN distribution to consistent ITN use.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13474488/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148211820","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":"Effect of malaria training on community healthcare providers' compliance with malaria treatment guidelines in Nigeria using propensity score matching.","authors":"Sikiru Baruwa, Toyin O Akomolafe, Emeka Emmanuel Okafor, Osimhen Ubuane, Rodio Diallo, Michael Alagbile, Jennifer Ladokun, Johnson Ekele, Dayyabu Yusuf","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05991-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05991-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Community Pharmacists (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) are important primary sources of care for many Nigerians. They are the first line of contact for those seeking advice or treatment for fever. However, the process needs to be strengthened and aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) malaria treatment guidelines, as these providers currently diagnose based solely on symptoms. The IntegratE Project 2.0 is piloting innovative models to expand quality family planning and primary health care services through CPs and PPMVs across 11 Nigerian states, while generating evidence for policy reform. Our evaluation examines the effect of the malaria training module on knowledge, acceptability, and compliance with WHO treatment guidelines and identification of quality drugs among CPs and PPMVs, using a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quasi-experimental evaluation design with a comparison group was implemented. Baseline and follow-up data were collected from February 2022 to December 2022 using structured questionnaires from self-selected intervention and randomly selected comparison groups. Descriptive statistics and PSM models were computed to estimate the average treatment effect (ATE) and average treatment effect for the treated (ATET). All analyses were performed using Stata 16.1, and a p-value < 0.05 was deemed significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings showed a significant positive impact of training on knowledge of malaria diagnosis and treatment (β = 0.052; 95% CI 0.006, 0.097; p = 0.03) and acceptability of the WHO test, treat, and refer guidelines among trained CPs and PPMVs (β = 0.432; 95% CI: 0.041, 0.822; p = 0.03). However, the training has no effect on compliance with treatment guidelines and identification of quality drugs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Malaria training using standard treatment guidelines modestly increases private providers' knowledge and acceptance. A scale-up of malaria training for CPs and PPMVs is recommended, and further research is needed on guideline compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13330328/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148211809","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 social experience of malaria treatment-seeking: pathways, gender, and inequality in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia.","authors":"Tomas Gerbi, Dejene Teshome, Morankar Sudhakar","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05969-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05969-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains one of the most persistent public health challenges in Ethiopia, where its meaning and treatment are shaped not only by biological causes but also by cultural beliefs and social inequalities. Despite increased awareness and government-led control efforts, the disease continues to affect communities in endemic areas. This study examined how communities in Jimma City understand and manage malaria, specifically focusing on how local beliefs, gender roles, and economic barriers shape treatment choices.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An ethnographic study was conducted in Jimma City, southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (n = 32), key informant interviews (n = 8), two focus group discussions, participant observation, and document review. Participants included household members affected by malaria, traditional healers, religious leaders, community elders, and health professionals. Interviews were conducted in Afaan Oromo and Amharic, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Malaria was understood through overlapping cultural and biomedical explanatory models. Local terms such as buda (evil eye), busa (seasonal fever), and sekera (killer disease) shaped how symptoms were recognized and interpreted. Treatment-seeking followed a pluralistic pathway, commonly beginning with home remedies, herbal treatments, and prayer, followed by biomedical care when symptoms worsened or persisted. Gender dynamics strongly influenced care-seeking: females were typically the first to recognize illness and provide care but often lacked decision-making authority and financial control, contributing to delays in accessing treatment. Males' occupational and social activities increased their exposure to malaria risk. Structural barriers including poverty, drug stockouts, transport constraints, inadequate housing, and weak health infrastructure further constrained timely and effective care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In Jimma City, malaria is experienced as a social as well as biomedical condition, embedded in local belief systems, gender relations, and structural inequalities. Malaria control efforts that focus solely on biomedical interventions risk overlooking the social realities that shape treatment-seeking behavior. Effective and sustainable malaria control requires engagement with local explanatory models, strengthening women's decision-making power, and addressing systemic barriers that perpetuate vulnerability.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13383422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148211956","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":"Accurate and sensitive TaqMan real-time PCR assays to detect and quantify simian malaria parasites Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium inui and Plasmodium coatneyi.","authors":"Muhammad Mirza Ariffin, Khairunnisa Syaripuddin, Khamisah Abdul Kadir, David Lubim, Khatijah Yaman, Paul Cliff Simon Divis","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05955-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05955-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human infections with simian parasites such as Plasmodium inui, P. cynomolgi, and P. coatneyi have been reported in several countries within Southeast Asia. Though infections caused by these parasites are mostly asymptomatic and mild, this could hamper the efforts to eradicate malaria in this region. In this report, we outlined the development and optimisation of new TaqMan-based real-time PCR assays to accurately identify and quantify P. inui, P. cynomolgi, and P. coatneyi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Species-specific hydrolysis probes were designed for real-time PCR assays targeting variable regions within the 18S rRNA genes of P. inui, P. cynomolgi and P. coatneyi. The assays were tested against plasmid DNA containing the target 18S rRNA gene as well as plasmid DNA harbouring 18S rRNA gene fragments of other human and simian Plasmodium species. The assays were further tested using genomic DNA samples from macaques and Anopheles mosquitoes that were previously confirmed to be positive for simian Plasmodium by nested PCR assays.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The developed assays demonstrated high specificity, amplifying only the target 18S rRNA gene of their respective Plasmodium species. The assays were also able to detect and quantify as few as 10 copies of template DNA per PCR reaction, which is equivalent to approximately five parasites, with amplification efficiencies of > 95%. The generated standard curves for each assay showed linear relationship between the copy numbers (10-10⁶ copies) and the cycle threshold (Ct) values. The accuracy of the assays was further supported by their ability to produce results equivalent to those obtained using conventional nested PCR assays.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The newly developed assays can accurately detect and quantify P. inui, P. cynomolgi and P. coatneyi, with limit of detection of approximately five parasites. Given the streamlined nature of real-time PCR, these assays could be implemented for routine malaria surveillance in areas where zoonotic malaria is prevalent. In addition, these assays are suitable for the detection of submicroscopic infections and in mosquito samples, which often have low parasite densities.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13465652/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148205222","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}