Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"Integrating malaria vaccine and CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive: a comprehensive strategy for accelerated malaria eradication.","authors":"Israel Charles Abraham, John Ehi Aboje, Bonaventure Michael Ukoaka, Kehinde Tom-Ayegunle, Maryam Amjad, Anas Abdulkader, Chinonyelum Emmanuel Agbo, Oluwatosin Ayokunle Akinruli, Taiwo Rebecca Akisanmi, Emmanuel Oyedeji Oyetola, Gbolahan Olatunji, Emmanuel Kokori, Nicholas Aderinto","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05243-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05243-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, despite ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease. Recent advancements, including the rollout of malaria vaccines, such as RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M™, offer new avenues for prevention. However, the rise of resistance to anti-malarial medications necessitates innovative strategies. This review explores the potential integration of CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive technology with malaria vaccination efforts to enhance vector control and reduce transmission. By employing gene drive mechanisms for population suppression and replacement of malaria-transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes, combined with the immunogenic properties of vaccines, a synergistic approach can be established. This paper discussed the need for integrated strategies to address the biological complexities of malaria and socio-economic factors influencing its prevalence. Challenges such as regulatory hurdles, community acceptance, ecological impacts, and sustainable funding are examined, alongside strategies for implementation within existing malaria control programmes. This integrated approach could significantly contribute to achieving the World Health Organization's targets for malaria reduction by 2030, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes and supporting broader socio-economic development.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11742230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143007929","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":"Larviciding for malaria control and elimination in Africa.","authors":"Gretchen Newby, Prosper Chaki, Mark Latham, Dulcisária Marrenjo, Eric Ochomo, Derric Nimmo, Edward Thomsen, Allison Tatarsky, Elijah O Juma, Michael Macdonald","doi":"10.1186/s12936-024-05236-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-024-05236-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Global progress toward malaria elimination and eradication goals has stagnated in recent years, with many African countries reporting increases in malaria morbidity and mortality. Insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying are effective, but the emergence and increased intensity of insecticide resistance and the challenge of outdoor transmission are undermining their impact. New tools are needed to get back on track towards global targets. This Perspective explores the major challenges hindering wider-scale implementation of larviciding in Africa and identifies potential solutions and opportunities to overcome these barriers.</p><p><strong>Larviciding in africa: </strong>OVERVIEW, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS: Larviciding is a valuable vector control tool with strong potential for regional scale-up. There is considerable evidence of its effectiveness, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends it as a supplemental intervention. However, malaria programmes hoping to implement larviciding face significant barriers, including (1) poor global technical, policy, and funding support; (2) fragmented implementation and experience; (3) high complexity of delivery and impact evaluation; and (4) limited access to the full range of WHO prequalified larvicide products. Strategic barriers related to global policy and donor hesitancy can be overcome through a coordinated demonstration of cost-effectiveness. Technological advancements and strengthened operational capacity have already overcome technical barriers related to larvicide delivery, targeting, coverage, and evaluation. Developing a Community of Practice platform for larviciding has strong potential to consolidate efforts, addressing the challenge of fragmented implementation and experience. Such a platform can serve as a resource center for African malaria programmes, collating and disseminating technical guidance, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and aiding malaria programmes and partners in designing and evaluating larviciding projects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The global shift toward targeted and adaptive interventions enables the incorporation of larviciding into an expanded vector control toolbox. As more African countries implement larvicide programmes, establishing a regional Community of Practice platform for exchanging experiences and best practices is necessary to strengthen the evidence base for cost-effective implementation, advocate for support, and inform policy recommendations, thus supporting Africa's progress toward malaria elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11734449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008014","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":"Caregiver acceptability of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in two districts in the Upper West region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Youssouf Diarra, Michael M Opoku, Charles E Amankwa, Raymond B Annor, Justice Nonvignon, Harriet A Bonful","doi":"10.1186/s12936-024-05169-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-024-05169-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acceptability of malaria chemoprevention interventions by caregivers is crucial for overall programme success. This study assessed coverage and acceptability of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) in selected communities in the Northern part of Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An analytical cross-sectional design was conducted from \"July 23rd to August 4th, 2020-a 12-day period that covered 5 days of the first SMC implementation cycle and 7 days post-implementation. Using a stratified multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 495 caregivers providing care for 569 eligible children aged 3-59 months from randomly selected households in the study communities were enrolled into the study. Acceptability of SMC was assessed on a set of 19 questionnaire items-8 of the items measured caregivers' perceptions and 11 items measured children's reaction to administered medicines. Univariable and stepwise multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the predictors of acceptability of SMC at a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SMC coverage was 95.1% (541/569). Caregivers had a good level of knowledge of SMC (n = 475; 96.0%; 95% CI 94.2-97.7%) and a good perception of SMC (n = 471; 95.2%; 95% CI 93.3-97.0). Seven out of ten caregivers (70.9%; 95% CI 66.9-74.9%) had good acceptability of SMC. For 7 out of 28 children who did not receive the SMC intervention, their caregivers intentionally refused them the intervention. Of those that received the treatment, 17.2% (n = 85; 95%CI 13.8-20.5%) of caregivers had at least one leftover amodiaquine tablet after the third day of treatment. Caregivers who practice Christianity or Islam had better acceptability than caregivers who practice African traditional religion (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Health authorities and stakeholders can work towards bridging the gap between knowledge and SMC treatment practices of caregivers through continuous education, adherence counseling, and effective monitoring of SMC practices in malaria-endemic countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11734325/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983928","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 and associated factors of malaria among the displaced population in refugee camps in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Habtu Debash, Ermiyas Alemayehu, Melaku Ashagrie Belete, Hussen Ebrahim, Ousman Mohammed, Daniel Gebretsadik, Mihret Tilahun, Alemu Gedefie","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05246-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05246-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increased occurrence of malaria among Africa's displaced communities poses a new humanitarian problem. Understanding malaria epidemiology among the displaced population in African refugee camps is a vital step for implementing effective malaria control and elimination measures. As a result, this study aimed to generate comprehensive and conclusive data from diverse investigations undertaken in Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review adhered to PRISMA standards, involving searches across electronic data bases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct. In addition, grey literature was retrieved from several professional associations. The quality of selected studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Data extraction was executed using Microsoft Excel, and the meta-analysis was performed with STATA 14 software. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of malaria. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to identify heterogeneity, while funnel plots and Egger's statistical tests assessed the publication bias. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall random-effects pooled prevalence of malaria infection (comprising symptomatic and asymptomatic cases) across all included studies was 35.93% (95% CI 24.71-47.15). This study showed a high level of heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 97.1; P < 0.001). Of the identified Plasmodium species, Plasmodium falciparum constituted 99.3%. The frost plot indicated that the overall prevalence of P. falciparum was 34.94% (95% CI 24.34-45.53). Subgroup analysis revealed significant variation (P < 0.001) in malaria prevalence between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, with a prevalence of 4.39% (95% CI 2.57-6.21) and 45.10% (95% CI 27.28-62.92), respectively. Lack of insecticide-treated mosquito net utilization (AOR 2.43; 95% CI 1.01-5.88) and living near mosquito breeding sites (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.56-4.87) were risk factors of malaria.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study determined that the pooled prevalence of malaria among displaced individuals in refugee camps was high and exhibited variations across different population groups. This signifying there is still a need to improve and recheck existing malaria prevention and control strategies to establish an effective malaria control and elimination programme in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11734236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983931","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":"Acceptability of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in Papua New Guinea: a qualitative study.","authors":"Elvin Lufele, Sophie Pascoe, Alice Mengi, Alma Auwun, Nalisa Neuendorf, John W Bolnga, Moses Laman, Stephen J Rogerson, Kamala Thriemer, Holger W Unger","doi":"10.1186/s12936-024-05233-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05233-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In moderate-to-high malaria transmission regions, the World Health Organization recommends intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) alongside insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce the adverse consequences of pregnancy-associated malaria. Due to high-grade Plasmodium falciparum resistance to SP, novel treatment regimens need to be evaluated for IPTp, but these increase pill burden and treatment days. The present qualitative study assessed the acceptability of IPTp-SP plus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in Papua New Guinea, where IPTp-SP was implemented in 2009.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions were conducted at health facilities where a clinical trial evaluated IPTp-SP plus DP (three-day regimen) versus IPTp-SP plus DP-placebo. IDIs were conducted with: (1) trial participants at different stages of engagement with ANC and IPTp, e.g. first antenatal clinic visit, subsequent antenatal clinic visits and postpartum; (2) local health workers (nurses, community health workers, midwives, health extension officers, doctors); and (3) representatives of district, provincial and national health authorities involved in programming ANC and IPTp. Focus group discussions comprised pregnant women only, including those engaged in the clinical trial and those receiving routine ANC outside of the trial. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis applying a framework assessing: affective attitude, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women expressed positive feelings and attitudes towards SP plus DP/DP-placebo; reported limited side effects; and found the size, number, colour, and taste of study medicines acceptable. Health workers and policymakers were concerned that, compared to SP alone, additional tablets, frequency (three-day regimen), and tablet size might be barriers to acceptability for users outside a non-trial setting. There was a high perceived effectiveness of SP plus DP; most women reported that they did not get malaria or felt sick during pregnancy. Broader healthcare benefits received through trial participation and the involvement of health workers, relatives and community members in the clinical trial enabled antenatal clinic attendance and perceived acceptability of this IPTp regimen.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the trial context, IPTp-SP plus DP was acceptable to both users and providers. Healthcare providers were concerned about the realities of acceptability and adherence to SP plus DP outside a clinical trial setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11731547/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143055975","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 and factors associated with childhood malaria and anaemia in Osun state, Nigeria: a baseline household malariometric study.","authors":"Olusola Ajibaye, Semiu Adebayo Rahman, Oluwagbemiga Olanrewaju Aina, Chinazo Ujuju, Chimere Obiora Agomo, Samuel Akindele, Olakiigbe Abiodun, Tolulope Victoria Uzoka, Nnenna Ogbulafor, Olufemi Oroge, Rufai-Ahmed Garba, Michael Ekholuenetale, Kolawole Maxwell, Ridwan Akorede Awosanya, Mary Abosede Adekola, Benjamin Bukky Ilesanmi, Adekemi Ajayi, Olusola Oresanya, James K Tibenderana, Adeola Yetunde Olukosi","doi":"10.1186/s12936-024-05238-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-024-05238-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Under-5 children have been known to bear a significant burden of malaria in endemic countries. Though significant progress has been made towards malaria prevention and control in Nigeria, it is expected that the addition of new malaria prevention strategy, such as perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) can contribute to a more rapid decline in malaria cases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with malaria and anaemia among children aged 2-18 months in Osun State.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional household malariometric study was conducted in 80 communities across eight Local Government areas (LGAs) in Osun State. Ethical approval was obtained from Osun State Health Research Ethical Committee (OSHREC/PRS/569T312/ on the 22nd of May 2023. Malaria test positivity was determined by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopy. In addition, haemoglobin levels were measured using Haemocue® Hb 201. Caregivers were interviewed on malaria management practices using tools adapted from Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of four hundred children aged 2-18 months were assessed in this study, which was conducted in July 2023. The caregivers were mostly the biological mothers of the children (n = 387, 96.8%). Female children were 51.8% and their male counterparts 48.2% respectively. Malaria positivity rate by RDT was 36.8% and this was higher in children aged 13-18 months (48.0%) and followed by those aged 7-12 months (44.0%). By microscopy, the positivity rate was 12.5% overall, with 15.0% positivity rate among children aged 7-12 months, about 13.5% among those 13-18 months and those aged 2-6 months had the least positivity rate whether by microscopy (8.5%) or RDT (18.5%). Overall, the prevalence of severe anaemia was 4.0%, moderate was 37.3%, mild was 18.3% and the normal was 40.4% respectively. However, higher proportion of moderate anaemia (7.0-9.9 haemoglobin (g/dL)) was reported in older children. Children from medium wealth households (aOR = 0.549; 95% CI 0.306-0.986) and those from rich households (aOR = 0.543; 95% CI 0.283-1.042) had 45.0% reduction in the odds of having malaria, when compared with their counterparts from poor households. In addition, children aged 7-12 months (aOR = 2.856; 95% CI 1.524-5.354) and those aged 13-18 months (aOR = 4.269; 95% CI 2.422-7.526) had higher odds of malaria infection, respectively, when compared with children aged 2-6 months.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Malaria infection and anaemia were found to be higher in older children. Household wealth and child's age were significantly associated with malaria infection. These findings would inform the positioning of PMC intervention touch-points to reduce malaria burden in young children.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11726936/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142979019","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":"Therapeutic development to accelerate malaria control through intentional intervention layering.","authors":"Lydia Braunack-Mayer, Narimane Nekkab, Josephine Malinga, Sherrie L Kelly, Evelyn Ansah, Joerg J Moehrle, Melissa A Penny","doi":"10.1186/s12936-024-05222-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-024-05222-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The clinical development of novel vaccines, injectable therapeutics, and oral chemoprevention drugs has the potential to deliver significant advancements in the prevention of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. These innovations could support regions in accelerating malaria control, transforming existing intervention packages by supplementing interventions with imperfect effectiveness or offering an entirely new tool. However, to layer new medical tools as part of an existing programme, malaria researchers must come to an agreement on the gaps that currently limit the effectiveness of medical interventions for moderate to low transmission settings. In this perspective, three crucial gaps that may prevent new therapeutics from being used to their fullest extent are presented. First, do burden reduction outcomes, which are typically monitored in studies of new medical products, sufficiently capture the broader goal of accelerating malaria control? Layering novel malaria products requires monitoring health outcomes that reflect the novel product's targeted stage of the parasite life cycle, in addition to all-infection and prevalence-based outcomes. Second, what public health outcome does a novel medical prevention tool provide that existing malaria interventions cannot fully deliver? Novel medical tools should be developed not just for an incremental improvement in preventive efficacy over an existing product, but also to meet a gap in protection. Specifically, this means designing products with components that target parts of the parasite life cycle beyond the scope of existing therapeutics, and better addressing populations and settings not well covered by existing tools. Finally, when do the population-level benefits of a multi-tool prevention programme justify the individual-level outcomes from receiving multiple interventions? An individual-level perspective should be key for exploring when and how layering a novel prevention intervention can accelerate efforts towards P. falciparum malaria control.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11731559/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142979044","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":"Malaria prevalence, transmission potential and efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy in the Kenyan Central highlands: a zone previously characterized as malaria-free.","authors":"Francis T Kimani, Kelvin K Thiongó, Maureen A Otinga, Lewis K Mbabu, Mary N Ombati, Stanley K Kitur, Sarah A Ochieng', Lucy N Wachira, Damaris K Matoke-Muhia, Luna Kamau","doi":"10.1186/s12936-024-05214-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-024-05214-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The current study sought to re-evaluate malaria prevalence, susceptibility to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), transmission patterns and the presence of malaria vectors in the Kikuyu area of the Kenyan Central highlands, a non-traditional/low risk malaria transmission zone where there have been anecdotal reports of emerging malaria infections.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sampling of adult mosquitoes was done indoors, while larvae were sampled outdoors in June 2019. The malaria clinical study was an open label non-randomized clinical trial where the efficacy of one ACT drug, was evaluated in two health facilities. Microscopy was used at the facility while nested 18 s rRNA subunit gene PCR amplification and MSP-1 and MSP-2 family alleles genotyping was done in the laboratory. Anti-malarial resistance gene markers Pfk13 and Pfmdr1 were profiled.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Anopheles funestus mosquitoes were the predominant vectors at 76.35% of all larvae collections (N = 148). Only two non-blood fed, parasites negative adult mosquitoes were collected from houses sampled. Parasitological analysis of the 838 patients screened resulted in 41 positives whose treatment outcome was 100% Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Response (ACPR). From the 35 positive samples genotyped, 29 (82.9%) were polyclonal. The overall mean MOI was 2.8 (95% CI 2.36-3.35). The MOI for msp-1 and msp-2 genes, was 2.02 (95% CI 0.72-2.27) and 2.9 (95% CI 2.22-3.55), and parasite strains range of 1-3 and 1-7, respectively. Polyclonal variation in the two genes was at 76.4% and 70.3%, respectively. The Pfk13 gene revealed no single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with suspected artemisinin resistance nor was there any pfmdr1 N86 mutant allele detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Plasmodium infections positivity rate observed in the study site was very low but significant. A proportion of participants who tested positive did not report recent history of travel. This observation together with the finding of competent known vectors can probably suggest that several of the cases could have been acquired and transmitted locally. The observed genetic diversity and polyclonal variations was on the contrary and suggest that these are imported cases. This however does not rule out a likely changing malaria transmission scenario in this zone, thus the need for further investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11726929/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142971611","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":"Potential of emodepside for vector-borne disease control.","authors":"Pattarapon Khemrattrakool, Thitipong Hongsuwong, Theerawit Phanphoowong, Patchara Sriwichai, Kittiyod Poovorawan, Joel Tarning, Kevin C Kobylinski","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05250-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05250-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Emodepside is an anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine that is currently under investigation in human clinical trials for the treatment of soil-transmitted helminths and possibly Onchocerca volvulus. Emodepside targets the calcium-activated voltage-gated potassium slowpoke 1 (SLO-1) channels of presynaptic nerves of pharynx and body wall muscle cells of nematodes leading to paralysis, reduced locomotion and egg laying, starvation, and death. Emodepside also has activity against Drosophila melanogaster SLO-1 channels. Orthologous SLO-1 genes are present in Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti, suggesting that emodepside may have activity against mosquitoes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Both Anopheles dirus and Ae. aegypti were blood-fed emodepside across a range of concentrations (1-10,000 nM) and mosquito survival was monitored for 10 days. Co-feeding experiments were also performed with An. dirus blood fed ivermectin at the concentrations that kills 25% (LC₂₅) and 50% (LC₅₀) of mosquitoes with and without emodepside at clinical peak concentration in humans (C_max) and five times the C_max, and mosquito survival was monitored for 10 days.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Emodepside had weak mosquito-lethal effects in An. dirus but none observed in Ae. aegypti at the concentrations evaluated. The An. dirus emodepside LC₅₀ was 4,623 [4,159-5,066] ng/ml which is > 100-fold greater than the peak concentrations seen in human. The ivermectin and emodepside co-feed experiment with An. dirus did not indicate any altered effect of ivermectin on mosquito survival when emodepside co-fed at human C_max or five times that of the human C_max.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Emodepside was not lethal to An. dirus at human-relevant concentrations and had no effect on Ae. aegypti survival. Thus, mass distribution of emodepside does not appear to be a potential tool for vector-borne disease control. Emodepside induced mortality in An. dirus does suggest that the SLO-1 channel could be a potential target for novel vector control and may warrant further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11734516/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008054","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":"Factors associated with malaria in pregnancy among women attending ANC clinics in selected districts of the Ashanti Region, Ghana.","authors":"Emmanuel Abu Bonsra, Petra Amankwah Osei, Emmanuel Adjei Kyeremeh, Stephen Adama, Akua Grace Sekyi, Elsie Fafa King","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05244-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05244-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria is a disease deeply rooted in poverty. Malaria in pregnant women leads to severe complications, including low birth weight and neonatal mortality, which can adversely affect both mother and child. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with malaria in pregnancy among women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics in three districts of the Ashanti Region, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1215 pregnant women selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The self-reported prevalence of at least one episode of malaria was 76.7% (95% CI [74.1-79.3%]). Age, education, marital status, income, and religion were significantly associated with the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women, with a p-value < 0.001. Pregnant women aged 17-25 years were 10.26 times more likely to have malaria compared to other age groups (aOR = 10.26, 95% CI [4.52-11.05], p = 0.000). Women with no formal education had higher odds of malaria, being 15.10 times more likely to have malaria compared to those with tertiary education (aOR = 15.10, 95% CI [7.32-16.78], p = 0.002). Women not using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) were 20 times more likely to have malaria compared to those who used ITNs (aOR = 20.0, 95% CI [7.04-21.03], p = 0.000).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Age, education, marital status, income, religion and insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) use significantly influence malaria prevalence in pregnancy. To achieve SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly Target 3.1 (reducing maternal mortality) and Target 3.3 (ending malaria), the Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health should prioritize expanding ITN distribution, educational campaigns, and targeted support for vulnerable groups to reduce malaria prevalence during pregnancy and improve maternal health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11724469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142971610","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}