Microsatellites markers fostering the understanding of malaria parasite biology, epidemiology and population genetics.

Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), are short tandemly repeated DNA sequences widely dispersed throughout the genome. Their high variability, co-dominant inheritance, and ease of detection make them valuable genetic markers, frequently used to study genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary processes. In the context of malaria research, particularly with Plasmodium falciparum (P.

Low prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 gene deletions in malaria-endemic states of India.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are crucial for diagnosing malaria in resource-limited settings. These tests, which detect the histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) and its structural homologue PfHRP3, are specifically designed to identify Plasmodium falciparum. Deletion of the Pfhrp2 gene in parasite has been reported in India and other malaria-endemic countries.

Unravelling the Influence of Host Genetic Factors on Malaria Susceptibility in Asian Populations.

Malaria is a deadly blood-borne disease caused by a Plasmodium parasite. Infection results in various forms of malaria, including an asymptomatic state, uncomplicated disease, or severe disease. Severe malaria (SM) is particularly prevalent among young children and is a significant cause of mortality.

A constant contact community-based epidemiological investigation (C3EI) as part of malaria elimination demonstration project, Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Background: In India, an increase in malaria cases by 21% (223,961 cases) has been reported between 2022 and 2023. Madhya Pradesh ranks 10th in malaria burden, with Mandla district selected for the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP) to demonstrate the feasibility of malaria elimination in a hard-to-reach, tribal-dominated, and hilly forested district. A Constant Contact Community-based Epidemiological Investigation (C3EI) was undertaken by continuous engagement with the community for real-time data collection, mapping of malaria cases, identification of risk factors, and monitoring of intervention outcomes designed to drive effective strategies for malaria elimination.

Analysis of diagnostic biomarkers for malaria: Prospects on rapid diagnostic test (RDT) development.

Accurate malaria diagnosis remains a formidable challenge in remote regions of malaria-endemic areas globally. Existing diagnostic methods predominantly rely on microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). While RDTs offer advantages such as rapid results and reduced dependence on highly skilled technicians compared to microscopy, persistent challenges emphasize the critical need to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers to further enhance RDT based malaria diagnosis.

Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Kelch13 (PfK13) dysregulates PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in artemisinin resistance.

Background: PfK13 protein mutations are associated with the emergence of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. PfK13 protein is essential for mediating ubiquitination and controlling the PI3K/AKT pathway. Mutant PfK13 variations can interfere with substrate binding, especially with PfPI3K, which raises PfPI3K levels.

Spatiotemporal Epidemiology of Malaria in India from 2007 to 2022.

India is a major contributor to the global burden of malaria, especially Plasmodium vivax infection. Understanding the spatiotemporal trends of malaria across India over the last two decades may assist in targeted intervention. The population-normalized spatiotemporal trends of malaria epidemiology in India from 2007 to 2022 were analyzed using a geographic information system with the publicly available "malaria situation" report of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP).

Malaria elimination: situation analysis of cases in India, the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India, and district Mandla of Madhya Pradesh.

India contributed approximately 66% of the malaria cases in the WHO South-East Asia region in 2022. In India, approximately 44% of cases have been reported to be disproportionately contributed by approximately 27 districts. A comparative analysis of reported malaria cases between January 2017 and December 2022 was performed in Mandla district, which is the site of a model malaria elimination demonstration project (MEDP) in Madhya Pradesh (MP), India.

Malaria Slide Bank to Strengthen and Improve the Quality of Malaria Diagnosis: A National Slide Repository in India.

Malaria elimination is one of the top health care priorities in India, necessitating accessible and accurate diagnosis for effective treatment. A malaria slide bank in India is a collection of quality-controlled malaria-positive and -negative slides and is considered a vital asset for quality diagnosis. The collection of blood samples, preparation of blood smears, staining, quality control, molecular characterizations, and slide validation were carried out according to standard operating procedures in accordance with the WHO reference laboratory.

Systematic Review and Geospatial Modeling of Molecular Markers of Resistance to Artemisinins and Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine in Plasmodium falciparum in India.

Surveillance for genetic markers of resistance can provide valuable information on the likely efficacy of antimalarials but needs to be targeted to ensure optimal use of resources. We conducted a systematic search and review of publications in seven databases to compile resistance marker data from studies in India. The sample collection from the studies identified from this search was conducted between 1994 and 2020, and these studies were published between 1994 and 2022.

Age-specific malaria vulnerability and transmission reservoir among children.

Purpose: The pediatric population, especially under-five children, is highly susceptible to malaria and accounts for 76 % of global malaria deaths according to the World Malaria Report 2022. The purpose of this manuscript is to discuss the various factors involved in the susceptibility of the pediatric population to Malaria and the importance of this age group for malaria elimination.

Methodology: Data on pediatric malaria epidemiology that includes prevalence, risk factors, immune factors, socioeconomic factors, control methods, etc.

A randomised controlled trial to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of low dose, short course primaquine in adults with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria in two hospitals in India.

Background: Plasmodium vivax remains a major challenge for malaria control and elimination due to its ability to cause relapsing illness. To prevent relapses the Indian National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) recommends treatment with primaquine at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg/day provided over 14 days.

Time series analysis of malaria cases to assess the impact of various interventions over the last three decades and forecasting malaria in India towards the 2030 elimination goals.

Background: Despite the progress made in this decade towards malaria elimination, it remains a significant public health concern in India and many other countries in South Asia and Asia Pacific region. Understanding the historical trends of malaria incidence in relation to various commodity and policy interventions and identifying the factors associated with its occurrence can inform future intervention strategies for malaria elimination goals.

Methods: This study analysed historical malaria cases in India from 1990 to 2022 to assess the annual trends and the impact of key anti-malarial interventions on malaria incidence.

Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to target malaria through inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase in the folate biosynthesis pathway: A prospective approach.

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a ubiquitous enzyme that regulates the biosynthesis of tetrahydrofolate among various species of Plasmodium parasite. It is a validated target of the antifolate drug pyrimethamine (Pyr) in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), but its clinical efficacy has been hampered due to the emergence of drug resistance. This has made the attempt to screen Food & Drug Administration-approved drugs against wild- and mutant PfDHFR by employing an in-silico pipeline to identify potent candidates.

Science of malaria elimination: using knowledge of bottlenecks and enablers from the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in Central India for eliminating malaria in the Asia Pacific region.

Malaria poses a major public health challenge in the Asia Pacific. Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project was conducted as a public-private partnership initiative in Mandla between State government, ICMR, and FDEC India. The project employed controls for efficient operational and management decisions.

A computational strategy for systematic virtual screening of plasmodium falciparum heme detoxification protein inhibitors from the Drugbank database.

Antimalarial drug resistance poses one of the greatest threats to malaria treatment, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Heme Detoxification Protein (HDP) is among the essential hemoglobinases of P. falciparum (Pf), a vital molecular target for the treatment of malaria.

Safety and efficacy of primaquine in patients with malaria from South Asia: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: The optimal dosing of primaquine to prevent relapsing malaria in South Asia remains unclear. We investigated the efficacy and safety of different primaquine regimens to prevent relapse.

Methods: A systematic review identified efficacy studies from South Asia published between 1 January 2000 and 23 August 2021.

Assessment of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance associated molecular markers in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Background: Resistance against artemisinin-based combination therapy is one of the challenges to malaria control and elimination globally. Mutations in different genes (Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, Pfk-13 and Pfmdr1) confer resistance to artesunate and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS + SP) were analysed from Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, to assess the effectiveness of the current treatment regimen against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum.

Methods: Dried blood spots were collected during the active fever survey and mass screening and treatment activities as part of the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project (MEDP) from 2019 to 2020.

Low Prevalence of Antimalarial Resistance Mutations in India During 2014-2015: Impact of Combining First-line Therapy With Primaquine.

Background: Antimalarial drug resistance surveillance and containment are crucial for countries aiming to eliminate malaria. Monitoring resistance evolution through studies before and after treatment policy changes is essential.

Methods: A total of 939 Plasmodium falciparum-positive blood samples were collected between 2014 and 2015 across 10 sites in India, categorized into 4 geographic clusters.

Tracking district-level performance in the context of achieving zero indigenous case status by 2027.

India has committed to zero indigenous malaria cases by 2027 and elimination by 2030. Of 28 states and 8 union territories of India, eleven states were targeted to reach the elimination phase by 2020. However, state-level epidemiology indicates that several states of India may not be on the optimum track, and few goals set in National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) for 2020 remain to be addressed.

India may need an additional metric to assess the endemicity of malaria in low surveillance districts.

India's National Framework for malaria elimination is essentially dependent on Annual Parasite Incidence (API). API is the primary criterion for classifying states and districts into different categories: intensified control, pre-elimination, elimination, prevention and re-establishment of malaria. However, API's validity is critically dependent on multiple factors, one such important factor is Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER) and is often considered as indicator of operational efficiency.

A comparative assessment of the community frontline health workers for their knowledge and practices of malaria diagnosis and treatment in three contiguous districts Mandla, Balaghat, and Dindori of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Background: Global malaria cases rose by 14 million, and deaths by 69,000, in 2020. In India, a 46% decline has been reported between 2020 and 2019. In 2017, the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project conducted a needs-assessment of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of Mandla district.