A versatile microfluidic platform for malaria infection screening and Plasmodium species genotyping.

Background: Malaria, a widespread parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species, remains a significant global health concern. Rapid and accurate detection, as well as species genotyping, are critical for effective malaria control.

Methods: We have developed a Flexible, Robust, Equipment-free Microfluidic (FREM) platform, which integrates recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based detection, enabling simultaneous malaria infection screening and Plasmodium species genotyping.

Polymorphism of Drug Resistance Genes and in Isolates among Chinese Migrant Workers Who Returned from Ghana in 2013.

In 2013, an epidemic of falciparum malaria involving over 820 persons unexpectedly broke out in Shanglin County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, after a large number of migrant workers returned from Ghana, where they worked as gold miners. Herein, we selected 146 isolates randomly collected from these patients to investigate the resistance characteristics of the parasite to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) by screening mutations in the and genes. All 146 isolates were successfully genotyped for , and only 137 samples were successfully genotyped for .

Genetic diversity and natural selection of rif gene (PF3D7_1254800) in the Plasmodium falciparum global populations.

To reveal the genetic characteristics of one member of the Plasmodium falciparum repetitive interspersed family (rif), we sequenced the rif gene (PF3D7_1254800) in 53 field isolates collected from Ghana-imported cases into China and compared them with 350 publicly available P. falciparum rif sequences from global populations. In the Ghana-imported population, the nucleotide diversities were 0.

Genetic Diversity and Natural Selection of Duffy Binding Protein-II From China-Myanmar Border of Yunnan Province, China.

Malaria incidence has declined dramatically over the past decade and China was certified malaria-free in 2021. However, the presence of malaria in border areas and the importation of cases of malaria parasites are major challenges for the consolidation of the achievements made by China. Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) performs a significant role in erythrocyte invasion, and is considered a promising vaccine.

Crystal Structure of Inorganic Pyrophosphatase From Reveals the Mechanism of Chemicals and Substrate Inhibition.

Soluble inorganic pyrophosphatases (PPases) are essential for facilitating the growth and development of organisms, making them attractive functional proteins. To provide insight into the molecular basis of PPases in (PPase), we expressed the recombinant PPase, analyzed the hydrolysis mechanism of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), and measured its activity. Moreover, we solved the crystal structure of PPase in complex with orthophosphate (Pi) and performed PPi and methylene diphosphonic acid (MDP) docking into the active site.

Genome-Wide Scans for Ghanaian Genes Under Selection From Local and Chinese Host Populations.

Initial malarial infection mostly causes symptomatic illness in humans. Infection that is not fatal induces complete protection from severe illness and death, and thus complete protection from severe illness or death is granted with sufficient exposure. However, malaria parasite immunity necessitates constant exposure.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Malaria Parasite Isolates From Togo Reveals Selective Signals in Immune Selection-Related Antigen Genes.

Malaria is a public health concern worldwide, and Togo has proven to be no exception. Effective approaches to provide information on biological insights for disease elimination are therefore a research priority. Local selection on malaria pathogens is due to multiple factors including host immunity.

Genetic diversity of Merozoite surface protein 1-42 (MSP1-42) fragment of Plasmodium vivax from Indonesian isolates: Rationale implementation of candidate MSP1 vaccine.

Morbidity and mortality related to malaria in Indonesia are attributed to both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax parasites. In addition to vaccines for P.

High multiple mutations of Plasmodium falciparum-resistant genotypes to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum-resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been largely reported among pregnant women. However, the profile of resistance markers to SP dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) in the general population are varied and not frequently monitored. Currently, SP is used as partner drug for artemisinin combination therapy (SP-artesunate) in some sub-Saharan African countries or as a prophylactic drug in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy and infants and in seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC).

Kelch 13 propeller gene polymorphism among Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Lagos, Nigeria: Molecular Epidemiologic Study.

Objective: To assess polymorphism in Kelch 13 gene of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: 195 Plasmodium falciparum-positive dried blood spots collected from individuals that accessed diagnostic care at some health facilities and during community surveys across several Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria, were investigated for the presence of mutations in the K13 gene by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using haplotype-specific probes and sequencing.

Results: Three mutant genotypes of K13 gene were observed: A578S in 0.

Contribution of immunomics: potential impact for serological testing and surveillance of malaria.

: (Pv) and account together for a considerable share of the global burden of malaria, along with (Pf). However, inaccurate diagnosis and undetectable asymptomatic/submicroscopic malaria infections remain very challenging. Blood-stage antigens involved in either invasion of red blood cells or sequestration/cytoadherence of parasitized erythrocytes have been immunomics-characterized, and are vital for the detection of malaria incidence.

Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from China-Myanmar border area.

Background: China has made progress in malaria control and aims to eliminate malaria nationwide, but implementing effective interventions along the border regions remain a huge task. The Plasmodium falciparum cases imported from Southeast Asia has frequently reported especially in the China-Myanmar border (CMB) area. Though, information is scant on P.

Screening for biomarkers reflecting the progression of Babesia microti infection.

Background: Babesiosis is caused by the invasion of erythrocytes by parasites of the Babesia spp. Babesia microti is one of the primary causative agents of human babesiosis. To better understand the status of the disease, discovering key biomarkers of the different infection stages is crucial.

Study roadmap for high-throughput development of easy to use and affordable biomarkers as diagnostics for tropical diseases: a focus on malaria and schistosomiasis.

Background: Interventions are currently being used against 'infectious diseases of poverty', which remain highly debilitating and deadly in most endemic countries, especially malaria, schistosomiasis, echinococcosis and African sleeping sickness. However, major limitations of current 'traditional' methods for diagnosis are neither simple nor convenient for population surveillance, and showed low sensitivity and specificity. Access to novel technologies for the development of adequate and reliable tools are expressly needed.

Genome-wide scans for the identification of Plasmodium vivax genes under positive selection.

Background: The current trend of Plasmodium vivax cases imported from Southeast Asia into China has sharply increased recently, especially from the China-Myanmar border (CMB) area. High recombination rates of P. vivax populations associated with varied transmission intensity might cause distinct local selective pressures.

Whole-genome sequencing of a Plasmodium vivax clinical isolate exhibits geographical characteristics and high genetic variation in China-Myanmar border area.

Background: Currently in China, the trend of Plasmodium vivax cases imported from Southeast Asia was increased especially in the China-Myanmar border area. Driven by the increase in P. vivax cases and stronger need for vaccine and drug development, several P.

[Sequencing and Phylogenetic Tree Construction of 18S Ribosomal DNA from Five Species of Plasmodium from Yunnan Border between China and Myanmar and Other Areas].

Objective: To analyze sequence variation and construct phylogenetic tree based on 18S ribosomal DNA among five species of Plasmodium in Yunnan border between China and Myanmar and other areas.

Methods: Blood samples (or DNA samples)from malaria patients were collected from 2000 to 2015 in Yunnan border and Myanmar and other areas. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and the 18S rDNA fragment was amplified, sequenced and aligned with relevant sequences available in the GenBank.

Whole-genome sequencing of a Plasmodium vivax isolate from the China-Myanmar border area.

Currently, there is a trend of an increasing number of Plasmodium vivax malaria cases in China that are imported across its Southeast Asia border, especially in the China-Myanmar border area (CMB). To date, little is known about the genetic diversity of P. vivax in this region.

An immunomics approach for the analysis of natural antibody responses to Plasmodium vivax infection.

High throughput immunomics is a powerful platform to discover potential targets of host immunity and develop diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. We screened the sera of Plasmodium vivax-exposed individuals to profile the antibody response to blood-stage antigens of P. vivax using a P.

[Cloning, expression and bioinformatics analysis of cathepsin B of Echinococcus granulosus].

Objective: To clone and express cathepsin B gene of Echinococcus granulosus (EgCatB) and analyze EgCatB protein by using bioinformatics tools and online databases.

Methods: The total RNA of E. granulosus was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA as the template sequence for PCR.

Operational research needs toward malaria elimination in China.

Owing to the implementation of a national malaria elimination programme from 2010 to 2020, we performed a systematic review to assess research challenges in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) and define research priorities in the next few years.

Genetic diversity and natural selection of three blood-stage 6-Cys proteins in Plasmodium vivax populations from the China-Myanmar endemic border.

Pv12, Pv38 and Pv41, the three 6-Cys family proteins which are expressed in the blood-stage of vivax malaria, might be involved in merozoite invasion activity and thus be potential vaccine candidate antigens of Plasmodium vivax. However, little information is available concerning the genetic diversity and natural selection of these three proteins. In the present study, we analyzed the amino acid sequences of P.