Efficacy of artesunate-mefloquine for chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax malaria in Malaysia: an open-label randomised controlled trial
June 1, 2016
Background Chloroquine (CQ)-resistant Plasmodium vivax is increasingly reported throughout southeast Asia. The efficacy of CQ and alternative artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) for…
Malaria burden and costs of intensified control in Bhutan, 2006–14: an observational study and situation analysis.
May 1, 2016
This original research quantifies the malaria burden and programmatic costs of malaria elimination in Bhutan.
Reversible host cell remodelling underpins deformability changes in malaria parasite sexual blood stages
April 26, 2016
The sexual stages of P. falciparum adopt a unique crescent shape. We showed that a network of microtubules lies under the parasite surface and drives parasite elongation. We showed that shape and deformability changes facilitate survival in the circulation so the sexual stage parasites can be picked up by a mosquito and transmitted to the next victim.
Genomic epidemiology of artemisinin resistant malaria
March 4, 2016
This study investigated the global prevalence and spread of Kelch13 mutants responsible for artemisinin resistance. The study found that whilst mutants were abundant in South East Asia, there was a very low prevalence in other parts of the world, and importantly, that resistant parasites have not yet spread to Africa.
Strain-transcending immune response generated by chimeras of the malaria vaccine candidate merozoite surface protein 2
February 11, 2016
MSP2 is an intrinsically disordered protein that is abundant on the merozoite surface and essential to the parasite Plasmodium falciparum….
Structure- and function-based design of Plasmodium-selective proteasome inhibitors
February 11, 2016
The team used a revolutionary technique called Cryo-Electron Microscopy to determine the 3D structure of the malaria parasite proteasome. This enabled design of an inhibitor that is able to attenuate parasite growth in vivo without significant toxicity to the host. The compound is active against strains of the malaria parasite from South East Asia that are resistant to currently used antimalarial drugs.
Acquisition and longevity of antibodies to Plasmodium vivax pre-erythrocytic antigens in Western Thailand
February 1, 2016
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Falling Plasmodium knowlesi malaria death rate among adults despite rising incidence, Sabah, Malaysia, 2010-2014
January 1, 2016
Deaths from Plasmodium knowlesi malaria have been linked to delayed parenteral treatment. In Malaysia, early intravenous artesunate is now recommended for all severe malaria cases. We…
Strategies for Understanding and Reducing the Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale Hypnozoite Reservoir in Papua New Guinean Children: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial and Mathematical Model
October 27, 2015
This world-first study identified that a very high proportion (80%) of P. vivax infections arise from dormant hypnozoites and sustain transmission. This study provided key evidence presented at 2017 WHO Expert Review Group Meeting demonstrating that currently available malaria control interventions will be insufficient to achieve elimination of P. vivax, highlighting the need to develop novel diagnostics and surveillance strategies.
Strategies for understanding and reducing the Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale hypnozoite reservoir in Papua New Guinean children: a randomised placebo-controlled trial and mathematical model
October 27, 2015
Using an innovative design, this study proved that 80% of all P. vivax bloodstage infections are caused by relapses from long-lasting liverstages and using mathematical models we predicted that elimination of P. vivax will be difficult without attacking the silent hypnozoite reservoir.