PAMAfrica PhD student poster presentations at the 8th MIM Society Conference
We are pleased to share that three PAMAfrica PhD students will be making poster presentations at the 8th MIM Society Conference, taking place from 21-27 April in Kigali, Rwanda. The theme of this year's conference is "Grassroots mobilization to end malaria: invest, innovate and integrate". See the titles and background information for each poster below. For the dates and times of poster sessions, which will be taking place in the conference exhibit hall, please consult the official MIM programme.
Presence of the emerging Pfdhps I431V mutation in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from children in Nanoro, Burkina Faso
Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is used for intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) and seasonal malaria prevention (SMC) across various sub-Saharan African countries, including Burkina Faso. However, concerns have arisen regarding its effectiveness due to P. falciparum resistance. Combinations of point mutations in the Pfdhps and Pfdhfr genes of Plasmodium falciparum are associated with SP resistance. Since 2009, evidence was reported about the emergence and spread of Pfdhps (431, 436, 437, 540, 581, and 613) haplotypes, particularly VAGKGA or VAGKGS, in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon and many other West and Central African regions. These mutations have threatened SP efficacy in those settings, highlighting the need for continuous surveillance. This study analysed the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps in P. falciparum strains isolated from children in Nanoro, Burkina Faso.
Assessment of Naturally Acquired Humoral Immunity against malaria protecting against Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI)
A successful malaria vaccine should, depending on the targeted stage of the malaria lifecycle, induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. Naturally acquired immunity (NAI) against malaria is thought to target mostly the blood stage and protects individuals against symptomatic and severe disease, but often fails to protect against infection, per se. A better understanding of the mechanisms of NAI and its role in all stages of the lifecycle might lead to improved vaccine design of the next-generation malaria vaccine.
Evolution of Plasmodium falciparum antimalarial drug resistance to antifolates in Uganda
Antimalarial drug resistance threatens global malaria control and containment efforts. P. falciparum genetic mutations mediate resistance to antimalarial drugs, including the antifolate inhibitor, sulfadoxine pyrimethamine. We evaluated spatio-temporal evolutionary dynamics of antifolate resistance.
Samples collected from patients presenting with uncomplicated malaria at 16 health facilities across Uganda from 2016-2022 were sequenced using molecular inversion probes (MIPs) targeting resistance associated genes and flanking regions.