Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40514714›Full record

ArticleMalaria journal2025

Comprehensive analysis of molecular markers linked to antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Northern, Northeastern and Eastern Uganda.

Peter Olupot-Olupot, George Paasi, Thomas Katairo, Jimmy Patrick Alunyo, Alice Nakiyemba, Gilbert Gilibrays Ocen, Stephen Pande, Florance Alaroker, William Okiror, Emmaluel Ocen and 8 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Malaria journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

18 authors.

Peter Olupot-OlupotMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda. polupotolupot@yahoo.com.
George PaasiMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda.
Thomas KatairoInfectious Disease Research Collaboration (IDRC) Plot, 2 C Nakasero Hill Road, P. O. Box 7475, Kampala, Uganda.
Jimmy Patrick AlunyoMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda.
Alice NakiyembaFaculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Busitema University, Namasagali Campus, P.O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda.
Gilbert Gilibrays OcenFaculty of Engineering, Main Campus, Busitema University, P.O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda.
Stephen PandeMoroto Regional Referral Hospital, Kitale RD, P.O. Box 12, Moroto, Uganda.
Florance AlarokerSoroti Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 289, Soroti, Uganda.
William OkirorMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda.
Emmaluel OcenApac Hospital, P. O. Box 11, Apac, Uganda.
Alex OulaApac Hospital, P. O. Box 11, Apac, Uganda.
Charles Benard OkaleboMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda.
Ongodia PaulMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda.
Denis AmorutMbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), P.O. Box 1966, Mbale, Uganda.
Stephen TukwasibweInfectious Disease Research Collaboration (IDRC) Plot, 2 C Nakasero Hill Road, P. O. Box 7475, Kampala, Uganda.
Susan Nabadda NdiddeUganda Ministry of Health, Central Public Health Laboratory, P. O. Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda.
Isaac SewanyanaUganda Ministry of Health, Central Public Health Laboratory, P. O. Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda.
Samuel L NsobyaInfectious Disease Research Collaboration (IDRC) Plot, 2 C Nakasero Hill Road, P. O. Box 7475, Kampala, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn Uganda, antimalarial resistance in Plasmodium falciparum poses serious public health and treatment challenges. Globally, recent data have highlighted the roles of following genes in malaria resistance: Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthetase (Pfdhps), Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance gene 1 (Pfmdr1), and Plasmodium falciparum K13 propeller domain (Pfk13). This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of P. falciparum molecular markers linked to antimalarial resistance in Northern, Northeastern, and Eastern Uganda.

methodsThis cross-sectional study collected 200 dried blood samples from children (2 months to 12 years) in Northern, Eastern, and Northeastern Uganda. Samples were from malaria-positive cases confirmed by rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy. Genomic DNA was extracted from these samples and analysed using Molecular Inversion Probes to detect Plasmodium falciparum genetic mutations. The sequencing was performed on the Illumina MiSeq platform, and raw data was organized and analysed with MIPTools software.

resultsThe study sequenced over 50% of the samples at each site as follows: Apac 87.7% (43/49), Moroto 68.0% (34/50), Soroti 65.0% (13/20) and Mbale 53.1% (43/81). The Pfk13 A675V and C469Y mutations varied from 0 to 23.3% and 8.3-14.3%, in four sites, with consistently low prevalence in Apac. The Pfdhfr N51I and S108N mutations were fixed in all districts, while C59R was fixed in Moroto and nearing fixation (92-97%) in other regions. The emerging I164L mutation ranged from 1 to 10% in all sites. The Pfdhps A437G and K540E mutations were fixed in Soroti, with 3-5% wild-type prevalence in other sites. The A581G mutation showed 2.3% mixed genotypes in Mbale only. The Pfcrt K76T was predominantly wild type, except for 5% mutants in Mbale and Moroto. The pfmdr1 N86Y were wild type across all districts, except for 15% mixed genotypes in Soroti.

conclusionThis study reveal rising partial artemisinin resistance and widespread antifolate resistance surpassing WHO thresholds in Northern, Northeastern, and Eastern Uganda. Emerging super-resistant parasites pose a serious threat to malaria control, necessitating urgent enhanced surveillance and alternative treatment strategies.

Indexed as

AntimalarialsDrug ResistanceMalaria, FalciparumPlasmodium falciparumChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGenetic MarkersHumansInfantMalePrevalenceProtozoan ProteinsUgandaAntimalarialsGenetic MarkersProtozoan ProteinsAntimalarial resistancePfcrtPfdhfrPfdhps Pfmdr1Pfk13Uganda

Identifiers

PMID40514714
PMCPMC12164153

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