Malaria Journal最新文献

{"title":"Community readiness and acceptance for the implementation of the malaria vaccine among caretakers of at-risk children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Eustes Kigongo, Sean Steven Puleh, Amir Kabunga, Stella Immaculate Akech, Francis Ocen, Marc Sam Opollo, Moses Ebong","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05384-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05384-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among children under five. The introduction of the malaria vaccine presents an opportunity to reduce malaria-related deaths. However, the success of vaccination campaigns depends on community acceptance and willingness to vaccinate. This study aimed to assess the pooled acceptance and willingness to adopt the malaria vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on variations across regions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online, was performed. Studies reporting on malaria vaccine acceptance and willingness among caregivers of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa were included. Data were extracted and analysed using STATA, with heterogeneity assessed through the I² statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed based on region and pre- and post-COVID periods. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1611 records were identified, and 34 studies met inclusion criteria after screening. Of these, 25 studies with a combined sample of 25,867 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled acceptance rate for the malaria vaccine among caregivers of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa was 82% (95% CI: 73%-90%), while the pooled willingness rate was 80% (95% CI: 70%-90%). Subgroup analyses showed no statistically significant differences in acceptance or willingness by COVID-19 period or region, though the lowest acceptance (53%) was reported in the DRC. High heterogeneity was observed (I² > 99%), and publication bias was indicated in the willingness outcome (Egger's test, P = 0.002).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate high levels of acceptance and willingness among caregivers to vaccinate children under five against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting strong community readiness for vaccine rollout. However, the observed heterogeneity and potential publication bias highlight the need for context-specific strategies and further high-quality studies to support implementation and uptake across diverse regions. Systematic review registration The protocol has been registered with PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023480528.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"259"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12345087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144835560","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":"Resilience of long-lasting insecticidal net distribution system on the Thai-Myanmar border: pre, during, and post COVID-19 pandemic insights.","authors":"Kasama Pooseesod, Kritsana Suk-Uam, Daniel M Parker, Suparat Phuanukoonnon, Sayambhu Saita","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05499-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05499-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To achieve the elimination goal by 2026, an effective LLIN distribution system is the essential strategy. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of LLINs distribution system tailored to COVID-19 setting in the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak Province.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective mixed-methods research study was conducted with 16 staffs involved in LLIN distribution and 388 household heads from six sub-districts along the Thai-Myanmar border. The research tools included in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative analysis employed a thematic analysis approach. Proportions were used to examine ownership, access, and bed net use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The operational system of LLINs distribution included mass distribution campaigns and continuous distribution through routine channels, such as malaria posts (MPs) and malaria clinics (MCs). Although lockdown measures stopped the mass campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), the operational system used to distribute LLINs in this study setting had resilience. According to this system's post-pandemic outcome, 95.9% of households had at least one bed net, and 87.9% of household members used any type of bed net. The in-depth interviews showed that a small proportion of individuals would like a different type of bed net and could not acquire them. During the pandemic, most community members still had sufficient bed nets to cover their sleeping spaces. Staying at home during lockdowns likely provided an opportunity for better adherence to bed net use among those who previously would have been traveling. Factors contributing to the success of LLIN distribution in this setting included good cooperation between government and partnerships, effective management, and a useful electronic database for decision-making.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The coverage of bed nets is high in this area, and as long as there is not a disruption that is longer than the lifespan of the bed nets, high coverage has been maintained. This high coverage indicated the effectiveness of the operational system of LLIN distribution in this study setting. These findings could be useful in the policy improvement of the LLIN distribution system, which could ultimately contribute to the successful elimination of malaria.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"258"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12345034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144835562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Assessment of the in vitro activity and selectivity of Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua aqueous extracts against artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum.","authors":"Camille Roesch, Kutub Ashraf, Amélie Vantaux, Adriana A Marin, Steven P Maher, Jean-Francois Franetich, Nimol Kloeung, Sopheakvatey Ke, Hoa Thi My Vo, Jean-Christophe Barale, Dominique Mazier, Benoit Witkowski","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05491-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05491-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"257"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12345072/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144835561","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":"Seasonal abundance and climatic determinants of Anopheles vectors in Sri Lanka: its implications in the malaria post-elimination era.","authors":"Mihirini Hewavitharane, Gaya Ranawaka, M D J S Saparamadu, Risintha Premaratne, H T R Jayasooriya","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05497-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05497-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sri Lanka has been malaria-free since 2012, yet the risk of malaria re-introduction is high during the post-malaria elimination phase due to influx of infected individuals from endemic countries, the presence of competent Anopheles vectors, and suitable climatic conditions for vectors across Sri Lanka. This may lead to the re-emergence of autochthonous malaria in areas beyond the historically affected dry and intermediate zones. To sustain the malaria-free status, a better understanding of Anopheles species across Sri Lanka's climatic zones is essential. This information will support the existing receptivity monitoring system.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Female adults of Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled monthly for two years using cattle baited trap collections (CBTC), indoor and outdoor human landing catches (HLC) and indoor hand collections (IHC), from five districts covering the dry, intermediate, and wet zones. Rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity data for the sentinel sites were obtained from the Department of Meteorology in Colombo. The study assessed Anopheles species occurrence, distribution, abundance, and densities. Spatial distribution and seasonality were analyzed using box plots, while the effects of climatic factors and collection site on malaria vectors were evaluated using negative binomial regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifteen Anopheles mosquito species were identified, with varying abundance and densities across sites. The primary malaria vector mosquitoes were predominantly captured by HLC at all sites, except the dry zone coastal site, while secondary vectors were more common in CBTC. An. culicifacies exhibited the highest mean adult density at the intermediate zone site, with population peaks observed during the second inter-monsoon and southwest monsoon seasons at most sites, and during the northeast monsoon in the wet zone. Vector abundance was significantly influenced by climatic factors and collection site (p < 0.05); An. culicifacies densities increased with humidity, while secondary vectors showed species-specific responses to temperature, rainfall, and collection site conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The spatial distribution and seasonality of Anopheles vectors provide insights on malaria vectorial efficiency in receptive areas. The intermediate zone of the island has the highest receptivity. Ongoing malaria entomological surveillance in the context of changing environmental conditions is critical for mitigating potential malaria reintroduction risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"256"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12335078/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812183","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 burden of malaria in East Africa: prevalence, risk factors, and control strategies.","authors":"Sharmake Gaiye Bashir, Naima Ibrahim Ahmed, Yakub Burhan Abdullahi, Yusuf Hared Abdi, Mohamed Sharif Abdi, Muhammad Kabir Musa","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05492-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05492-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria continues to exert a severe toll on public health in East Africa, accounting for a large share of global morbidity and mortality. Despite national strategies and donor-funded efforts, the disease persists due to complex, intersecting biological, environmental, and socioeconomic drivers. This review aims to analyse malaria burden, identify risk factors, and assess the effectiveness of control strategies across twelve East African countries to inform tailored and evidence-based interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature, national reports, and World Health Organization surveillance data from 2015-2024. Data were synthesized from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Analysis focused on incidence, mortality, resistance trends, intervention coverage, and climate-related impacts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Uganda, South Sudan, and Burundi report the highest malaria incidence (250 + per 1000), while Eritrea and Comoros maintain the lowest. Artemisinin partial resistance has reached > 20% in multiple areas, and pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles vectors is undermining control efforts. Climate change is expanding malaria transmission into highland zones. Funding gaps persist, with only 48% of required resources secured. Nonetheless, integrated strategies involving LLINs, indoor residual spraying, vaccination, and community engagement reduce severe malaria by up to 47%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To combat malaria in East Africa, urgent investments in sustainable financing, climate-adaptive interventions, resistance monitoring, and community-driven strategies are essential to avert projected excess mortality and achieve regional malaria elimination goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"255"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12335108/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144804414","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":"Refining malaria diagnosis in high-transmission areas: a dual-approach with rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and dbPCR-NALFIA.","authors":"Diane Yirgnur Some, Francois Kiemde, Hermann Sorgho, Marc Christian Tahita, Antonia Windkouni Bere, Abdoulaye Ouedraogo, Souleymane Vivien Banao, Kouadjo Bagre, Gérémie Djiri, Georges Some, Toussaint Rouamba, Yeri Esther Hien, Aly Savadogo, Henk D F H Schallig, Halidou Tinto","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05500-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05500-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are an essential tool in managing febrile illnesses in endemic settings. However, persisting parasite antigen after treatment or spontaneous remission, which can be detected by histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2)-based RDT or Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH)-based RDTs, could lead to misdiagnosis. To overcome the latter, a diagnostic approach combining sequential interpretation of two-step malaria RDTs incorporating two parasite antigens detecting PfHRP2 and pLDH coupled with a direct-on-blood mini PCR-nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (dbPCR-NALFIA) has been evaluated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Febrile patients visiting two rural health facilities in Burkina Faso were enrolled. For each participant, an HRP2-based RDT and blood slides for microscopy (gold standard) were performed. A capillary blood sample was also collected in an EDTA tube and transported to laboratory to perform the two-step malaria RDT detecting HRP2 and LDH, and dbPCR-NALFIA testing. Malaria diagnostic results were sequentially interpreted and reported as: (i) positive when pLDH line appears regardless of the HRP2 results (PfHRP2 + /pLDH + or PfHRP2-/pLDH +); (ii) negative when both lines are absent (PfHRP2-/pLDH-); and (iii) undetermined when only the HRP2 line appears (PfHRP2 + /pLDH-). Undetermined cases were subsequently confirmed by dbPCR-NALFIA test and reported as positive or negative. Malaria microscopy was used as reference test of conclusive diagnostic results (PfHRP2 + /pLDH + , PfHRP2-/pLDH + or PfHRP2-/pLDH-) and qPCR for undetermined cases (PfHRP2 + /pLDH-).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 438 blood samples analysed, 87.2% (382/438) of patients with conclusive sequential interpretation of HRP2 and pLDH did not need confirmative testing with dbPCR-NALFIA. The sensitivity and specificity of these conclusive results were 98.8% and 95.3%, respectively. Following confirmation of undetermined sequential interpretation with dbPCR-NALFIA, the sequential algorithm had a sensitivity of 97.9%, a specificity of 94.8%, a positive predictive value of 97.2%, and a negative predictive value of 96.1%. For single HRP2-based RDT, the sensitivity was 95.2%, the specificity 73.2%, the positive predictive value 85.1%, and the negative predictive value 90.4%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The sequential algorithm of the two-step RDTs combined with dbPCR-NALFIA on inconclusive results enhances the diagnosis of malaria in febrile patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"252"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12330003/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799559","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":"Multiple first-line therapeutic strategies to mitigate artemisinin resistance: cost analysis of a pilot study from a health system perspective in Kaya health district, Burkina Faso.","authors":"Rosemonde M Guissou, Jean Moïse T Kaboré, Issiaka Soulama, Denise Hien, Yacouba Nombré, Alfred B Tiono, Christian Burri, Sodiomon B Sirima","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05493-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05493-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The emergence of artemisinin resistance in Africa is an increasingly evident threat to malaria control and elimination, and anticipatory measures are needed. Mathematical modelling studies demonstrated that the simultaneous deployment of multiple first-line therapy (MFT) strategies delays the spread of resistance, but there is no evidence concerning the implementation of these strategies, which is an important factor in decision-making. Incremental financial costs of implementing a MFT strategy at a district scale were estimated, analysed and compared to routine practice, with a scaling-up perspective by the government. Then, implications of the findings for improving malaria control in Burkina Faso and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa were highlighted.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Microcosting and activity-based costing approaches were used to assess the cost for providers, of the MFT pilot study implemented in Kaya Heath District, from December 2019 to November 2020. Quantitative et qualitative data were collected through seven semi-structured and thirty-eight structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with research team (including a member of the National Malaria Control Programme), the health district officials (chief doctor and chief pharmacist) and with the managers of the public health facilities where the MFT strategy was implemented.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the six activities involved in routine malaria care delivery, four incur additional costs when the MFT strategy is implemented: support material production, health worker training and supervision, and the chosen artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) costs, if different from the standard cost. On the basis of uncomplicated malaria cases reported at the national level in 2022, MFT implementation costs at the country level were estimated at 20,840,880 USD, of which 92% were related to drug costs with a recurrent character. The weight of drug costs in the MFT strategy depends on the artemisinin-based combination chosen and on subsidies and free care policies. In the pilot strategy, the cost of MFT drugs was more than double that under routine practice: 19,175,568 USD versus 8,554,365 USD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of the MFT strategy cost analysis presented here may assist policy makers in their choice of malaria ACT combinations for mitigating the emergence of drug resistance. Although the MFT strategy costs almost twice as much as the current single first-line treatment strategy cost savings due to avoiding treatment failure are likely to be substantial. The results also highlight the necessity of better organizing and stabilizing malaria control financing sources particularly in view of the recent funding challenges facing the global health system.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"254"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12333059/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799558","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 polymorphism of msp2 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates among asymptomatic malaria infections from two ecological settings in Cameroon.","authors":"Aline G Bouopda-Tuedom, Luc Abate, Brice L Feufack-Donfack, Christelle M Ngou, Albert N Bayibeki, Carole E Eboumbou Moukoko, Lawrence S Ayong, Antoine Berry, Thierry Lefèvre, Isabelle Morlais, Sandrine E Nsango","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05414-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05414-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The high genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum parasites is one of the challenges for malaria control and elimination in endemic areas. A better knowledge of parasite genotypes circulating in different disease endemic areas could help to optimize local malaria interventions. This study aimed at determining P. falciparum genetic diversity from isolates collected in forest (Mfou) and humid savanna (Tibati) eco-epidemiological settings in Cameroon.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dried blood spots collected from asymptomatic individuals in 2018 and 2019 were used to determine the Plasmodium infection status and distinguish the Plasmodium spp. by real-time PCR. Allelic polymorphism of the msp2 gene was assessed in the P. falciparum positive samples by nested PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis for revelation of the fragment allelic size. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) was defined as the number of coinfecting genotypes within an infection. General linear mixed models were fitted to evaluate the impact of study site, participant age, gender and bed net ownership on genetic diversity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Malaria prevalence among the asymptomatic individuals reached 59.2% (876/1480) in Mfou and 63.4% (808/1274) in Tibati. A total of 36 and 42 different msp2 alleles were detected in Mfou and Tibati, respectively. No genetic differentiation was observed between the two study sites. The msp2 IC/3D7 family was the most polymorphic and the most prevalent in both areas. Overall, more than 60% of the isolates had multiclonal infections. The frequency of multiclonal infections and MOI was higher in Mfou (68.9%, MOI = 2.08) than in Tibati (57.29%, MOI = 1.80). In Mfou, a negative correlation was found between MOI and age. Similarly, a gender effect was observed in Mfou, with males having higher MOI than females.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reported high malaria prevalence and a high allelic diversity in the msp2 gene among asymptomatic carriers from two epidemiological settings of Cameroon. Despite results reflects high transmission intensity in both areas, analysis indicated distinct epidemiological patterns in Mfou and Tibati. These findings will provide valuable baseline information to monitor the impact of malaria control measures implemented in these areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"253"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12330162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144799557","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":"Diversity of anopheline species and malaria transmission dynamics in high-altitude areas of western Cameroon.","authors":"Belinda Claire Kiam, Aline Gaelle Bouopda-Tuedom, Jean Arthur Mbida Mbida, Ibrahima Ibrahima, Samuel J White, Pacome V K Tchuenkam, Zachary R Popkin-Hall, Mariama Mbouh, Charlène Tina Nanssong V, Luc Abate, Clément Janvier Onguene, Brigitte Tumamo Fotso, Jacob M Sadler, Jonathan B Parr, Jessica T Lin, Jonathan J Juliano, Innocent Mbulli Ali, Rhoel R Dinglasan, Sandrine Eveline Nsango","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05480-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05480-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Assessing vector bionomics and their role in transmission is crucial to improving vector control strategies. Several entomological studies have been conducted to describe malaria transmission in different eco-epidemiological settings in Cameroon; however, data gaps persist, particularly in the highland areas. This study aimed to characterize malaria vectors in three localities along an altitudinal gradient in the western region: Santchou (700 m), Dschang (1400 m) and Penka Michel (1500 m).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Human landing catches were conducted from May to June 2023 in 17 villages (including 10 health zones in Dschang, 4 in Santchou and 3 in Penka Michel) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Mosquitoes were sorted into genera and all Anopheles species were identified using morphological taxonomic keys and species-specific Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR). Entomological indicators, including species composition, abundance, biting behaviour, infection rate and entomological inoculation rate (EIR) were assessed. Genomic DNA from the head and thorax was extracted and tested for Plasmodium infection by real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2835 Anopheles mosquitoes were identified, including Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) (82.88%), Anopheles funestus s.l. (15.92%), Anopheles nili (0.09%) and Anopheles ziemanni (1.11%), with An. gambiae s.l. being the most prevalent at all sites. Anopheles gambiae s.l. had a significantly higher human-biting rate at Penka Michel (45.25 bites/human/night) compared to Santchou (3.1 bites/human/night [b/h/n]) and Dschang (0.41 bites/human/night) (p-value < 0.001). It was also the main malaria vector, with an entomological inoculation rate (EIR) 13 times higher in Penka Michel than Santchou (1.11 vs. 0.08 infective bites/human/night). The data suggest a very focal distribution of infective An. gambiae s.l. mosquitoes. Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant malaria parasite (67% in Santchou, 62% in Penka Michel), but Plasmodium malariae (33% in Santchou, 31% in Penka Michel) and Plasmodium ovale (1.21% only in Penka Michel) infections were also detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study highlights a difference in mosquito composition and host-seeking behaviour across altitudes, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance to monitor vector populations. To combat the persistence of malaria in Cameroon, it is crucial to implement additional tools like larviciding, integrated and environmental management, particularly against outdoor-biting mosquitoes, to prevent potential malaria outbreaks in these highland areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"251"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12330072/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144794876","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":"Deletion of target gene (histidine-rich protein 2/3) for Plasmodium falciparum rapid diagnostic tests in Amhara region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Aderaw Adamu, Getaneh Alemu, Mulat Yimer, Banchamlak Tegegne, Sindew Mekasha","doi":"10.1186/s12936-025-05485-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12936-025-05485-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (pfhrp2)-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been instrumental in enhancing malaria surveillance and case management, especially in Africa where P. falciparum predominates. However, the emergence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions poses a serious threat to their effectiveness. Therefore, regular monitoring of pfhrp2/3 deletion status at both local and national levels is essential to inform policy decisions on appropriate diagnostic strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to 2022 across 28 health facilities in three survey domains (Gondar, Gojjam, and East Amhara) within the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The study included 1232 microscopy-confirmed P. falciparum patients. Participants were recruited through convenient sampling based on informed consent. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Capillary blood samples were obtained and tested for Plasmodium infection using pfhrp2-based RDTs, microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR analysis specifically targeted the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes to detect deletions. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 20.0 to summarize participant characteristics and calculate the prevalence of gene deletions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 1232 microscopy-confirmed P. falciparum-positive samples, 123 were suspected of pfhrp2/3 gene deletion (i.e., microscopy positive but RDT negative). These 123 discordant samples and 87 samples with concordant RDT and microscopy-positive results (total 210) were recruited for the pfhrp2/3 gene deletion study using PCR. An additional 17 concordant and 14 discordant samples (a total of 31) were excluded due to insufficient DNA amplification. As a result, pfhrp2/3 gene deletion analysis was conducted on 179 samples. Of these, 158 (88.3%) samples had either one or both of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions. Ninety-two (51.4%), 4 (2.2%) and 62 (34.6%) samples were with dual pfhrp2/3, Pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions, respectively. Among 109 false-negative pfhrp2/3 RDT results, 102 (93.6%) were due to pfhrp2/3 gene deletions. P. falciparum with pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 or dual gene deletion was found in all survey domains.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The regional prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletion is above the threshold (5%) recommended by the World Health Organization. Plasmodium falciparum strains with pfhrp2/3 gene deletion are distributed throughout the Amhara region. Continued use of the newly introduced LDH-based Biocredit RDTs is recommended in Ethiopia.</p>","PeriodicalId":18317,"journal":{"name":"Malaria Journal","volume":"24 1","pages":"250"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12318410/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144768765","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}