Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"Understanding community and health system acceptability, readiness and perspectives on the introduction of new vector control approaches for malaria control in Papua New Guinea.","authors":"Zebedee Kerry, Rachael Farquhar, Kilon Manuv, Alma Auwun, Petrina Johnson, Paul Daly, Michael Macdonald, Stephen Bell, Maria Ome-Kaius, Stephan Karl, Moses Laman, Leanne J Robinson","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05990-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05990-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and accounted for most malaria cases and deaths in the Western Pacific Region in 2023. Despite current national efforts centred on insecticide treated nets (ITNs), there is a pressing need to explore supplementary vector control tools, given the resurgence of malaria in PNG since 2015, partly driven by declining insecticidal efficacy of ITNs. The Newly Adapted Tools and Network Against Mosquito Borne Disease Transmission (NATNAT) project is assessing the feasibility and acceptability of complementary vector control approaches in PNG communities and the health system. These tools include residual spraying, spatial emanators, and larval source management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to examine community acceptability, readiness and perceptions of current vector control tools such as ITNs and the potential reintroduction of supplementary vector control approaches, like residual spraying. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, data were collected from four villages along the north coast of Madang Province: Megiar, Bulal, Mirap, and Wasab. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using inductive techniques, with collaborative review to refine key themes by study team.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The current malaria control practices and contextual factors shaped community perceptions and the prospective acceptability of residual spraying. Community members demonstrated a strong understanding of malaria risk, including seasonal transmission patterns and breeding sites, and reported both traditional and program-implemented vector control approaches used in their village. Engagement for vector control activities was motivated by strong leadership, personal values, and a comprehensive understanding of malaria risk factors. Community support for supplementary vector control measures, alongside a strong desire to address existing gaps in mosquito protection, were key drivers of acceptability. Addressing insecticide safety concerns informed in part by historical DDT spraying campaigns experiences through tailored, context-specific communication strategies will be critical for the successful adoption of residual spraying. Affordability and uptake of new vector control tools into existing programs are essential for sustainable uptake into policy and practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings demonstrate the prospective acceptability of new vector control tools in PNG and underscores the importance of sustained, in-depth community engagement. To ensure effective implementation, policy development must consider community norms and practices, societal attitudes, and resource availability.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13508190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148265150","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":"Genetic diversity and evolutionary perspectives of Pfcrt in Plasmodium falciparum: insights from Indian and global isolates.","authors":"Geetika Narang, Joseph Hawadak, Jahnvi Jakhan, Vineeta Singh","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05974-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05974-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) driven by mutations in the Pf chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) gene continues to pose a challenge to malaria control in endemic regions like India. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary patterns of Pfcrt is important for guiding malaria surveillance and future national drug policy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analysed 979 Indian (exon 2) and 719 global full-length Pfcrt sequences using molecular tools to assess genetic diversity, selection pressure and population structure. Comparative and temporal analyses were conducted across Indian states and global regions to explore evolutionary trends.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Indian sequence analysis revealed regional and temporal variations in haplotype diversity with both widespread and region-specific variants. Haplotype networks identified three major haplotypes namely CVIET, SVMNT and CVMNK, with CVIET predominating, particularly in the North-East, while SVMNT and CVMNK showed variable prevalence across regions and time periods. The greatest diversity was recorded between 2010-2019 despite reduced malaria incidence, suggesting ongoing selection pressure. Mizoram exhibited the highest Tajima's D value (D = 3.310, p < 0.01) and Pfcrt sequences from North-East region showed a unique genetic structure reflecting a likely role of selection pressures from the Greater Mekong Subregion. Globally, 65 haplotypes were detected with highest diversity in Cambodia with strong genetic differentiation observed across countries. Distinct genetic clusters and limited haplotype sharing across countries suggest that region-specific evolutionary pressures have shaped Pfcrt diversity. Positive selection at 6 codons and linkage disequilibrium between key SNPs indicate functional adaptation under drug pressure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the variation in Pfcrt shaped by national drug policies and regional malaria transmission patterns. Continued molecular surveillance is essential to monitor emerging resistant lineages and guide effective malaria treatment strategies. This study highlights the variation in Pfcrt shaped by national drug policies and regional malaria transmission patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13501725/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148258757","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 Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme reduced clinical malaria in Kenya, 2020 to 2022 : Impact evaluation with predictive time-series models of routine surveillance data.","authors":"John A Painter, Erika Wallender, Andrew N Hill, Mary Hamel, Rafiq Okine, Eliane Furrer, Rose Jalang'o, Kibor K Keitany, Simon Kariuki, Isabella Nyang'au, Brian Seda, Aaron M Samuels, Nelli Westercamp","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05973-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05973-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Quantifying the impact of malaria vaccines on outpatient malaria burden in children is of interest to many countries introducing either of the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended vaccines (RTS,S/AS01 [RTS,S] or R21/Matrix-M [R21]). The cluster randomized implementation of RTS,S by the Kenya Ministry of Health during the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) provided a unique opportunity to measure the impact of RTS,S on uncomplicated malaria cases reported through routine malaria case surveillance data in western Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From 23 implementing and 23 comparison subcounties in western Kenya, monthly numbers of confirmed uncomplicated malaria cases among individuals under 5 years of age (< 5y) and 5 years of age and older (≥ 5y) were extracted from the Kenya Health Management Information System, stored in a DHIS2 instance. Facilities that reported data ≥ 11 months per year from January 2015 through December 2022 (132 implementing, 139 comparison) were included in the analysis. Prevaccination data (January 2015-December 2019) were used to predict counterfactual case counts during the evaluation period (January 2020-December 2022), beginning when the first children vaccinated under MVIP became age-eligible for the third dose. Models of < 5y malaria cases included a covariate for ≥ 5y malaria cases to control for non-RTS,S malaria control measures. The impact was estimated as the difference between predicted and observed cases across implementing and comparison areas.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The proportion of vaccine eligible children (RTS,S doses at 6, 7, 9, and 24 months) among all children < 5y was small at the start of MVIP but was estimated to reach 60% by December 2022. During the 3-year evaluation period following dose-3 age-eligibility, < 5y malaria cases were 2.3% lower than predicted in non-implementing facilities and 13.8% lower in implementing facilities, a reduction of 11.6%. The reduction was 5.6% during the first year of follow-up, increasing to 8.2% after two years.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This analysis revealed that routine health data, although age-aggregated to both vaccine eligible and noneligible children < 5 years, demonstrated a reduction in malaria cases throughout the evaluation period. A further reduction in cases was observed as more vaccine-eligible children comprised the under 5 population. High quality routine data can be used to monitor vaccine impact on clinical malaria.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13501692/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148258715","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":"\"We are not sick, so why take medicine?\" Community perspectives on barriers, facilitators, and implementation strategies for IPTsc in Ghana.","authors":"Joseph Sam, Emmanuel Asampong, Harriet Affran Bonful, Dora Dadzie, Mahnaz Vahedi","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05997-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05997-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intermittent preventive treatment for school-aged children (IPTsc) is a newly recommended malaria chemoprevention strategy targeting populations that increasingly sustain malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana recently added IPTsc into its national malaria strategy, yet evidence on community acceptability and implementation strategies in non-trial settings remains limited. This study explored perceived barriers, facilitators, and preferred implementation strategies for IPTsc in a high-transmission district in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in four junior high schools in the Hohoe Municipality. Data were collected through five focus group discussions (FGDs), comprising four FGDs with school-aged children and one FGD with caregivers. Additionally, three key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with two headteachers and the municipal School Health Education Programme coordinator. Transcripts were analysed using Attride-Stirling's thematic network analysis framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Perceived barriers included concerns about drug origin, fear of side effects, administering medicines to asymptomatic children, tablet size and taste, and doubts about programme continuity. Facilitators centred on perceived benefits such as reduced malaria episodes, improved school attendance, lower household treatment costs, and community willingness to support IPTsc if adequate sensitisation was provided. Preferred implementation strategies included school-based delivery complemented by community outreach, administration by trained health professionals, clear communication on drug timing and food intake, and early parental involvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this setting, perceived acceptability of IPTsc was shaped less by doubts about effectiveness and more by concerns about trust, safety, delivery, and programme continuity. These findings suggest that context-sensitive IPTsc implementation in similar high-transmission settings should prioritise community engagement, involvement of health professionals, and adaptive delivery models that link schools with community health platforms.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13501748/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148258763","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":"Implementing seasonal malaria chemoprevention in conflict-affected settings: experiences from Northern Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan.","authors":"Abubaker Rom Deng Ayuiel, Francis Okot, Jamshed Khan, Denis Mubiru, Atemthi D Dau, Amanya Jacob, Ezbon W Apary, Simon Peter Katongole, Aweno Norman","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05984-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05984-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>South Sudan, a country with a high malaria burden, faces considerable health system challenges due to decades of civil war, which disrupts access to essential services. For three years, the Malaria Consortium has implemented Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in Aweil South and Aweil West Counties; however, coverage remains below optimal at 79%, falling short of established targets. This study examines the barriers and enablers to accessing and distributing SMC during the 2024 round.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study design was used, involving 60 stakeholders involved in implementing SMC. Data were collected through 42 key informant interviews and 18 in-depth interviews with caregivers of eligible children who received all SMC doses or none, as well as those of ineligible children who received SMC. The data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Factors that enabled SMC distribution and access included government support, community trust, efficient logistics, integrated activities, access to vital information, involvement of Boma health workers, supervisor transportation, and organized malaria management. The main challenges included shortages of healthcare workers, drug shortages, geographic and transportation difficulties, caregiver relocation, delayed referrals, and poor communication.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to address resource constraints, enhance workforce capacity, communication, and logistics infrastructure, thereby ensuring sustainable SMC delivery in conflict-affected areas. Strengthening these areas will be crucial for maximizing the impact of SMC as a malaria prevention strategy in such environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13501561/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148258692","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":"From silent infection to symptomatic malaria: host phenomic determinants of Plasmodium falciparum outcomes in Fanteakwa South District, Ghana.","authors":"Enoch Aninagyei, George Abeiku Abbew, Comfort Addo Boatey, Regina Yayra Menu, Ebenezer Tawiah Nyarkotey, Desmond Omane Acheampong","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05985-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05985-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections sustain malaria transmission in endemic areas, yet progression to symptomatic disease varies among individuals. This study examined asymptomatic infection in Fanteakwa South District, Ghana, focusing on how demographic and host phenomic factors influence progression to symptomatic malaria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed a prospective cohort design nested within a cross-sectional survey. Participants of all ages were recruited from four communities using stratified random sampling and screened for malaria using mRDT and PCR. ABO blood group, Rhesus D factor, and haemoglobin phenotype were determined. Individuals with asymptomatic P. falciparum infection were followed weekly for 28 days with repeat mRDT, microscopy, and temperature measurements. Statistical analyses evaluated associations between demographic, phenomic, and infection outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 353 participants, females constituted 59.8%, and adults aged 18-65 years were the largest age group (42.5%). Blood group O (55.8%), HbAA (85.3%), and Rhesus D positivity (91.8%) predominated. PCR detected more P. falciparum infections (52.1%) than mRDT (42.8%), indicating a substantial burden of submicroscopic asymptomatic malaria. PCR positivity varied across communities and was highest among children (61.9%) and adolescents (68.6%). During follow-up, 131 participants (37.1%) converted to mRDT and microscopy positivity, with 43.5% converting in the first week. Early conversion was most frequent among children (54.5%, p < 0.001), followed by adolescents, while adults and older adults showed fewer early conversions. Individuals with blood groups A and AB progressed earlier, whereas blood group O showed delayed conversion. All conversions occurred among HbAA individuals, with no progression among HbAS carriers. The Rhesus D factor had no significant effect, while gender differences emerged later, with higher conversion among males in Week 3 (p = 0.015).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic P. falciparum infection is strongly shaped by age and host erythrocyte phenomic traits. Blood groups A and AB and the HbAA phenotype favour early conversion, whereas blood group O and HbAS delay or prevent progression. These findings underscore the importance of molecular surveillance and phenome-informed risk stratification for targeted malaria control in endemic communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491822/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148252236","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":"Prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and its associated factors in the Al Zuhrah district, Al-Hodeidah Government, Yemen, 2022.","authors":"Mohammed Ahamed Hajjam, Mohammed Abdullah Al Amad, Samar Saeed Nasher","doi":"10.1186/s12936-026-05993-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-026-05993-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Asymptomatic malaria represents a significant health issue, especially in endemic regions where asymptomatic individuals serve as reservoirs. In Yemen, the Al-Hodeidah governorate is the primary endemic area. This study aims to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and its associated factors in Al-Zuhra District, Al-Hodeidah Governorate.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted using a multistage sampling method with probability proportional to size to select villages and households. In each household, one eligible member who had not experienced malaria symptoms and had consented to participate was randomly selected. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, and blood samples were tested for malaria using a Rapid Diagnostic Test. Logistic regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted prevalence odds ratios (APOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 422 participants were enrolled, with a mean age of 35.7 ± 11 years; 47% were male, and 62% were from a family with more than five members. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 5%, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for 95% of infections. Being educated was protective against infection (APOR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.13-0.97; p = 0.043). Absence of window screens (APOR = 9.56; 95% CI 2.15-42.51; p = 0.003), and living near stagnant water (APOR = 4.93; 95% CI 1.50-16.23; p = 0.009) were significantly associated with asymptomatic malaria.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Asymptomatic malaria remains present in Al-Zuhra District, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the majority of infections. Environmental and household factors, particularly absence of window screening and proximity to stagnant water were strongly associated with infection, while education showed a protective effect. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening household-level vector control measures, improving environmental management, and enhancing community awareness to reduce asymptomatic malaria transmission in the area.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13483621/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148239720","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 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}