Biology subjects

Price, R. N.

Publications and source records attributed to Price, R. N..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Mapping the global distribution and spread of the Plasmodium vivax-associated virus MaRNAV-1

Matryoshka RNA virus 1 is a bi-segmented and single-stranded RNA virus associated with Plasmodium vivax, a cause of human malaria. Little has been uncovered about the epidemiology and ecology of this virus since its discovery in 2019. To address this, we used a combination of primary and publicly available metatranscriptomic data to map the geographic distribution and host associations of MaRNAV-1. We detected this virus throughout Southeast Asia, in parts of South America, and, for the first time, in Oceania. Despite its broad distribution, MaRNAV-1 was found exclusively in metatranscriptomes containing P. vivax, suggesting that there is a specific virus-host relationship that has shaped the evolutionary history of this virus. We were unable to estimate the emergence date of the MaRNAV-1 lineage; however, phylogeographic mapping analysis suggested that MaRNAV-1 may have radiated from Southeast Asia. Our findings have both evolutionary and public health implications and can serve as the basis for future investigations in these fields.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Decoding Ethiopia's unique and structurally divergent Plasmodium falciparum populations using genomics

Previous genome-wide studies suggest that Ethiopian Plasmodium falciparum parasites are unique and structurally divergent from sub-Saharan African populations but were limited by small sample sizes. The emergence of molecular markers associated with reduced artemisinin susceptibility in northern Ethiopia, and the drug pressures created by sympatric P. falciparum and P. vivax, may have fostered a distinct and permissive genetic background for the emergence and spread of multidrug resistant parasites. To characterise parasite population structure and evolutionary dynamics in this setting, we generated whole-genome sequencing data for 163 P. falciparum isolates from southern Ethiopia (2017-2021) and integrated these with 854 isolates from across sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopian parasites exhibited markedly reduced diversity, highly conserved genomes, and distinct admixture ancestry. Near-fixation of chloroquine and antifolate associated resistance markers, potentially driven by P. vivax co-circulation, suggests persistent drug-related selection pressures. We identified a previously undescribed deletion in the pfmdr1 5' UTR that is common in Ethiopia and potentially widespread across African populations. Although clinically relevant pfk13 variants have emerged in northern Ethiopia, these were not detected in southern Ethiopia. However, strong genetic connectivity between regions indicates the potential for rapid spread of resistance and is therefore important for public health policy and practice.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Comparison of CD4 T cell response in Plasmodium falciparum and vivax malaria

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum and P. vivax are parasites responsible for most malaria cases globally. In areas where these species co-exist, individuals gain protection from P. vivax more rapidly, and important biological differences between species may impact the immune response. CD4 T cells are key drivers of immunity to malaria, both as effector and helper cells, with T-follicular helper (Tfh) having key roles in antibody development. Comparative studies on CD4 T cell responses between these species are limited. MethodsWe assessed CD4 T cells in adults with either P. falciparum or P. vivax malaria. Activation and proliferation of CD4 T cells were measured ex vivo, and functional capacity determined by intracellular cytokine staining by flow cytometry. ResultsThe phenotype, activation and proliferation of CD4 T cells and effector CD4 T cell subsets were comparable between species. However, within the peripheral (p)Tfh cell compartment, there was evidence for a skew towards pTfh1 cells in P. falciparum, and pTfh2 cells in P. vivax. Additionally, in P. falciparum, increased IL-10 production was detected, including within IL-21 producing CD4 T cells. ConclusionWhile activation and function of CD4 T cells in malaria are largely comparable, some species-dependent responses are detected within the pTfh cell compartment that may impact antibody development.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

On-target, dual aminopeptidase inhibition provides cross-species antimalarial activity.

To combat the global burden of malaria, development of new drugs to replace or complement current therapies are urgently required. As drug resistance to existing treatments and clinical failures continue to rise, compounds targeting multiple life cycle stages and species need to be developed as a high priority. Here we show that the compound MMV1557817 is a nanomolar inhibitor of both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax aminopeptidases M1 and M17, leading to inhibition of end stage haemoglobin digestion in asexual parasites. Multi-stage analysis confirmed that MMV1557817 can also kill sexual stage P. falciparum, while cross-resistance studies confirmed the compound targets a mechanism of action distinct to current drug resistance mechanisms. Analysis of cross reactivity to homologous human enzymes shows the compound exhibits a high level of selectivity, whilst safety as well as druggability was confirmed in the murine model P. berghei. MMV1557817-resistant P. falciparum parasites displayed only low-level resistance (<3-fold) and exhibited a slow growth rate that was quickly outcompeted by wild type parasites. MMV1557817-resistant parasites digest significantly more haemoglobin and possess a mutation in PfA-M17 that induces partial destabilisation of the PfA-M17 homohexamer, resulting in high-level resistance to specific PfA-M17 inhibition, but enhanced sensitivity to specific PfA-M1 inhibition, and importantly, these parasites were highly sensitive to artemisinin. Overall, these results confirm MMV1557817 as a potential lead compound for further drug development and highlight the potential of dual inhibition of M1 and M17 as an effective multi-species drug targeting strategy.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Multi-locus genotyping reveals established endemicity of a geographically distinct Plasmodium vivax population in Mauritania, West Africa

BackgroundPlasmodium vivax has been recently discovered as a significant cause of malaria in Mauritania, although very rare elsewhere in West Africa. It has not been known if this is a recently introduced or locally remnant parasite population, nor whether the genetic structure reflects epidemic or endemic transmission. Methodology / Principal FindingsTo investigate the P. vivax population genetic structure in Mauritania and compare with populations previously analysed elsewhere, multi-locus genotyping was undertaken on 100 clinical isolates, using a genome-wide panel of 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), plus seven SNPs in drug resistance genes. The Mauritanian P. vivax population is shown to be genetically diverse and divergent from populations elsewhere, indicated consistently by genetic distance matrix analysis, principal components analyses, and fixation indices. Only one isolate had a genotype clearly indicating recent importation, from a southeast Asian source. There was no linkage disequilibrium in the local parasite population, and only a small number of infections appeared to be closely genetically related, indicating that there is ongoing genetic recombination consistent with endemic transmission. The P. vivax diversity in a remote mining town was similar to that in the capital Nouakchott, with no indication of local substructure or of epidemic population structure. Drug resistance alleles were virtually absent in Mauritania, in contrast with P. vivax in other areas of the world. Conclusions / SignificanceThe molecular epidemiology indicates that there is long-standing endemic transmission that will be very challenging to eliminate. The virtual absence of drug resistance alleles suggests that most infections have been untreated, and that this endemic infection has been more neglected in comparison to P. falciparum locally or to P. vivax elsewhere. Author SummaryPlasmodium vivax is a widespread cause of malaria in Mauritania, in contrast to its rarity elsewhere throughout West Africa. To investigate whether the parasite may be recently introduced or epidemic, multi-locus genotyping was performed on 100 Mauritanian P. vivax malaria cases. Analysis of a genome-wide panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms showed the P. vivax population to be genetically diverse and divergent from populations elsewhere, indicating that there has been long-standing endemic transmission. Almost all infections appear to be locally acquired, with the exception of one that was presumably imported with a genotype similar to infections seen in Southeast Asia. The Mauritanian P. vivax population shows no linkage disequilibrium, and very few infections have closely related genotypes, indicating ongoing recombination. The parasite showed no indication of local substructure or epidemic population structure. Drug resistance alleles were virtually absent, suggesting that most infections have been untreated historically. The molecular epidemiology indicates that there has been long-standing endemic transmission of this neglected parasite that requires special attention for control.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum with kelch13 C580Y mutations on the island of New Guinea

The rapid and aggressive spread of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum carrying the kelch13 C580Y mutation is a growing threat to malaria elimination in Southeast Asia, but there is no evidence of their spread to other regions. We conducted cross-sectional surveys in 2016 and 2017 at two clinics in Wewak, Papua New Guinea (PNG) where we identified three infections caused by C580Y mutants among 239 genotyped clinical samples. One of these mutants exhibited the highest survival rate (6.8%) among all parasites surveyed in ring-stage survival assays (RSA) for artemisinin. Analyses of kelch13 flanking regions, and comparisons of deep sequencing data from 389 clinical samples from PNG, Indonesian Papua and Western Cambodia, suggested an independent origin of the Wewak C580Y mutation, showing that the mutants possess several distinctive genetic features. Identity by descent (IBD) showed that multiple portions of the mutants genomes share a common origin with parasites found in Indonesian Papua, comprising several mutations within genes previously associated with drug resistance, such as mdr1, ferredoxin, atg18 and pnp. These findings suggest that a P. falciparum lineage circulating on the island of New Guinea has gradually acquired a complex ensemble of variants, including kelch13 C580Y, which have affected the parasites drug sensitivity. This worrying development reinforces the need for increased surveillance of the evolving parasite populations on the island, to contain the spread of resistance.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Investigating the efficacy of triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) for treating Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients using mathematical modelling

The first line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria is artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), which consists of an artemisinin derivative co-administered with a longer acting partner drug. However, the spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistant to both artemisinin and its partner drugs poses a major global threat to malaria control activities. Novel strategies are needed to retard and reverse the spread of these resistant parasites. One such strategy is triple artemisinin-based combination therapy (TACT). We developed a mechanistic within-host mathematical model to investigate the efficacy of a TACT (dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine-mefloquine - DHA-PQ-MQ), for use in South-East Asia, where DHA and PQ resistance are now increasingly prevalent. Comprehensive model simulations were used to explore the degree to which the underlying resistance influences the parasitological outcomes. The effect of MQ dosing on the efficacy of TACT was quantified at varying degrees of DHA and PQ resistance. To incorporate interactions between drugs, a novel model is presented for the combined effect of DHA-PQ-MQ, which illustrates how the interactions can influence treatment efficacy. When combined with a standard regimen of DHA and PQ, the administration of three 8.3 mg/kg doses of MQ was sufficient to achieve parasitological efficacy greater than that currently recommended by WHO guidelines.

pharmacology and toxicology↗