Last Updated: 22/12/2025
Preventing the transmission of artemisinin resistant falciparum malaria
Objectives
The potential spread of artemisinin resistant malaria throughout Southeast Asia and beyond is of grave concern to malaria elimination initiatives. To address this problem, this project aims to:
- To understand and compare how artemisinin sensitive and resistant parasites respond to known transmission-blocking drugs.
- To develop the methodology to quantitatively assess male and female gametocyte functional viability in malarial patients.
- To adapt the Pf DGFA methodology to a form amenable for large scale implementation for transmission-blocking clinical trials.
Mahidol University, Thailand
Wellcome Sanger Institute, United Kingdom
Kesinee Chotivanich
Michael Delves
Sasithon Pukrittayakamee
Nicholas J. White
We will combine established gametocyte producing P. falciparum artemisinin-sensitive and -resistant isolates with our existing validated in vitro transmission-blocking assay (Pf Dual Gamete Formation Assay – Pf DGFA) to initially determine whether primaquine (PQ) or methylene blue (MB) (and their metabolites) show modulated transmission-blocking activity in a resistant background. As a standardised control, we will also generate a panel of lab strain parasites containing known mutations linked to artemisinin resistance by CRISPR. To extend this investigation we will also compare 34 known transmission-blocking molecules in the Pf DGFA in both sensitive and resistant backgrounds. Taking our in vitro data on PQ and MB transmission-blocking efficacy, we will repeat our investigation using ex vivo parasites taken from malarial patients under PQ/MB treatment. Finally, we will adapt the Pf DGFA into a form amenable for evaluation of transmission-blocking field trials. This project aims to deliver evidence-based recommendations about the use of PQ and MB for controlling the spread of artemisinin resistant parasites; a screening platform to evaluate current and future antimalarials for efficacy against artemisinin resistant parasites; and a robust tool to accurately measure transmission-blocking during field trials.
Jan 2016 — Dec 2017
$321,133
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