Brazilian Plasmodium falciparum isolates: investigation of candidate polymorphisms for artemisinin resistance before introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was performed to better understand the genetic diversity of known polymorphisms in <it>pfatpase6 </it>and <it>pfmdr1 </it>genes before the introduction of ACT in Brazil, in order to get a genotypic snapshot of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>parasites that may be used as baseline reference for future studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Parasites from <it>P. falciparum </it>samples collected in 2002, 2004 and 2006-2007 were genotyped using PCR and DNA sequencing at codons 86, 130, 184, 1034, 1042, 1109 and 1246 for <it>pfmdr1 </it>gene, and 243, 263, 402, 431, 623, 630, 639, 683, 716, 776, 769 and 771 for <it>pfatpase6 </it>gene.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A <it>pfmdr1 </it>haplotype NEF/CDVY was found in 97% of the samples. In the case of <it>pfatpase6</it>, four haplotypes, wild-type (37%), 630 S (35%), 402 V (5%) and double-mutant 630 S + 402 V (23%), were detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although some polymorphism in <it>pfmdr1 </it>and <it>pfatpase6 </it>were verified, no reported haplotypes in both genes that may mediate altered response to ACT was detected before the introduction of this therapy in Brazil. Thus, the haplotypes herein described can be very useful as a baseline reference of <it>P. falciparum </it>populations without ACT drug pressure.</p

Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Angola show the StctVMNT haplotype in the pfcrt gene

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Effective treatment remains a mainstay of malaria control, but it is unfortunately strongly compromised by drug resistance, particularly in <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>, the most important human malaria parasite. Although <it>P. falciparum </it>chemoresistance is well recognized all over the world, limited data are available on the distribution and prevalence of <it>pfcrt </it>and <it>pfmdr1 </it>haplotypes that mediate resistance to commonly used drugs and that show distinct geographic differences.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>-infected blood samples collected in 2007 at four municipalities of Luanda, Angola, were genotyped using PCR and direct DNA sequencing. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the <it>P. falciparum pfcrt </it>and <it>pfmdr1 </it>genes were assessed and haplotype prevalences were determined.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>The most prevalent <it>pfcrt </it>haplotype was <b>S</b>_tctVMN<b>T </b>(representing amino acids at codons 72-76). This result was unexpected, since the <b>S</b>_tctVMN<b>T </b>haplotype has previously been seen mainly in parasites from South America and India. The CV<b>IET</b>, CVMN<b>T </b>and CV<b>I</b>N<b>T </b>drug-resistance haplotypes were also found, and one previously undescribed haplotype (CVM<b>DT</b>) was detected. Regarding <it>pfmdr1</it>, the most prevalent haplotype was <b>Y</b>EYSNVD (representing amino acids at codons 86, 130, 184, 1034, 1042, 1109 and 1246). Wild haplotypes for <it>pfcrt </it>and <it>pfmdr1 </it>were uncommon; 3% of field isolates harbored wild type <it>pfcrt </it>(CVMNK), whereas 21% had wild type <it>pfmdr1 </it>(NEYSNVD). The observed predominance of the <b>S</b>_tctVMN<b>T </b>haplotype in Angola could be a result of frequent travel between Brazil and Angola citizens in the context of selective pressure of heavy CQ use.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high prevalence of the <it>pfcrt </it><b>S</b>VMN<b>T </b>haplotype and the <it>pfmdr1 </it>86<b>Y </b>mutation confirm high-level chloroquine resistance and might suggest reduced efficacy of amodiaquine in Angola. Further studies must be encouraged to examine the <it>in vitro </it>sensitivity of <it>pfcrt </it><b>S</b>VMN<b>T </b>parasites to artesunate and amodiaquine for better conclusive data.</p

Molecular markers of antifolate resistance in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Luanda, Angola

Abstract Background Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains a leading health problem in Africa and its control is seriously challenged by drug resistance. Although resistance to the sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is widespread, this combination remains an important component of malaria control programmes as intermittent preventive therapy (IPT) for pregnant women and children. In Angola, resistance patterns have been poorly characterized, and IPT has been employed for pregnant women since 2006. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of key antifolate resistance mediating polymorphisms in the pfdhfr and pfdhps genes in P. falciparum samples from Angola. Methods Plasmodium falciparum samples collected in Luanda, in 2007, were genotyped by amplification and DNA forward and reverse sequencing of the pfdhfr and pfdhps genes. Results The most prevalent polymorphisms identified were pfdhfr 108N (100%), 51I (93%), 59R (57%) and pfdhps 437G (93%). Resistance-mediating polymorphisms in pfdhps less commonly observed in West Africa were also identified (540E in 10%, 581G in 7% of samples). Conclusion This study documents an important prevalence of 4 P. falciparum polymorphisms that predicts an antifolate resistance in Luanda. Further, some samples presented additional mutations associated to high-level resistance. These results suggest that the use of SP for IPT may no longer be warranted in Angola

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Low-grade sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites from Lubango, Angola

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2016-12-15T12:02:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 larissa_gomes_etal_IOC_2016.pdf: 1050672 bytes, checksum: 08ec28e30080ca2f341202cc5f460572 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2016-12-15T12:22:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 larissa_gomes_etal_IOC_2016.pdf: 1050672 bytes, checksum: 08ec28e30080ca2f341202cc5f460572 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-15T12:22:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 larissa_gomes_etal_IOC_2016.pdf: 1050672 bytes, checksum: 08ec28e30080ca2f341202cc5f460572 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / FIOCRUZ. Centro de Pesquisa, Diagnóstico e Treinamento em Malária (CPD-Mal) . Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Hospital Central Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto. Lubango, Angola / Health Progress and Investigation Network of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Community (RIDESMal/CPLP). Lisbon, Portugal.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / FIOCRUZ. Centro de Pesquisa, Diagnóstico e Treinamento em Malária (CPD-Mal) . Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Health Progress and Investigation Network of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Community (RIDESMal/CPLP). Lisbon, Portugal.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Câncer. Laboratório de Oncovirologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / FIOCRUZ. Centro de Pesquisa, Diagnóstico e Treinamento em Malária (CPD-Mal) . Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Health Progress and Investigation Network of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Community (RIDESMal/CPLP). Lisbon, Portugal.National Institute of Public Health. Angolan National Malaria Control Programme. Luanda, Angola / Health Progress and Investigation Network of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Community (RIDESMal/CPLP), Lisbon, Portugal.Institut Pasteur in Cambodia. Malaria Molecular Epidemiology Unit. Phnm Penh, Cambodia.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / FIOCRUZ. Centro de Pesquisa, Diagnóstico e Treinamento em Malária (CPD-Mal) . Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Health Progress and Investigation Network of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Community (RIDESMal/CPLP). Lisbon, Portugal.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Pesquisa em Malária. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil / FIOCRUZ. Centro de Pesquisa, Diagnóstico e Treinamento em Malária (CPD-Mal) . Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Health Progress and Investigation Network of the Portuguese-Speaking Countries Community (RIDESMal/CPLP). Lisbon, Portugal.Malaria is a major parasitic disease, affecting millions of people in endemic areas. Plasmodium falciparum parasites are responsible for the most severe cases and its resistance to anti-malarial drugs is notorious. This is a possible obstacle to the effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) based on sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) cures administrated to pregnant women (IPTp) during their pregnancy. As this intervention is recommended in Angola since 2006, it has assessed, in this country, the molecular profiles in P. falciparum dhfr and dhps, two polymorphic genes associated to pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine resistance, respectively