Partner study description

Since 2004, Ethiopia has adopted a species-specific treatment policy for malaria: artemether-lumefantrine (AL) for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria and chloroquine (CQ) for Plasmodium vivax infections. P. falciparum and P. vivax are co-endemic in Ethiopia. Periodic assessment of mutant and susceptible genotypes would help towards a better understanding of the effects of the current regimens. In areas where P. vivax is endemic and primaquine is required for the radical cure, individual’s G6PD status must be known before the recommendation of this drug. Indeed, G6PD-deficient individuals are at risk of haemolysis when exposed to primaquine and tafenoquine drugs. Apparently no measures are currently in place to ensure safe delivery of this drug within the context of G6PD deficiency risk in the country. Given the incomplete removal of CQ, co-transmission of P. falciparum and P. vivax in the country and use of primaquine for the radical cure of P. vivax, Lemu Golassa and colleagues are interested to explore the frequencies of P. falciparum clinical isolates carrying mutant and susceptible genotypes in Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 genes and to determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among endemic people. This study is contributing to the Plasmodium Diversity Network Africa (PDNA), an African-led network investigating the genetic diversity and drug resistance of Plasmodium parasites across Africa.

Publications

• Genomic analysis reveals independent evolution of Plasmodium falciparum populations in Ethiopia
  Abera D et al
  Malaria Journal, 2021; 20 129
  10.1186/s12936-021-03660-y