Featured Publications
Malaria Resilience in South America: Epidemiology, Vector Biology, and Immunology Insights from the Amazonian International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research Network in Peru and Brazil
Torres K, Ferreira MU, Castro MC, Escalante AA, Conn JE, Villasis E, da Silva Araujo M, Almeida G, Rodrigues PT, Corder RM, Fernandes ARJ, Calil PR, Ladeia WA, Garcia-Castillo SS, Gomez J, do Valle Antonelli LR, Gazzinelli RT, Golenbock DT, Llanos-Cuentas A, Gamboa D, Vinetz JM. Malaria Resilience in South America: Epidemiology, Vector Biology, and Immunology Insights from the Amazonian International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research Network in Peru and Brazil. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2022, 107: 168-181. PMID: 36228921, PMCID: PMC9662219, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0127.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune responseMalaria epidemiologyMalaria controlImportant public health priorityHuman immune responsePublic health priorityWestern Brazilian Amazon regionHealth priorityHuman reservoirSociodemographic featuresMalaria researchEpidemiologyMultidisciplinary approachRapid reemergenceVector biologyElimination strategyResearch NetworkMalaria vectorsInternational CentreFurther researchBrazilian Amazon regionSouth AmericaMalariaImmunologyResponseVaccination With Leptospira interrogans PF07598 Gene Family-Encoded Virulence Modifying Proteins Protects Mice From Severe Leptospirosis and Reduces Bacterial Load in the Liver and Kidney
Chaurasia R, Salovey A, Guo X, Desir G, Vinetz JM. Vaccination With Leptospira interrogans PF07598 Gene Family-Encoded Virulence Modifying Proteins Protects Mice From Severe Leptospirosis and Reduces Bacterial Load in the Liver and Kidney. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology 2022, 12: 926994. PMID: 35837473, PMCID: PMC9274288, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.926994.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLethal challenge infectionChallenge infectionBacterial loadC3H/HeJ miceKey target organClinical pathogenesisSevere leptospirosisOrgan infectionProtein immunizationHeJ miceSerovar CanicolaTarget organsAnimal modelsLeptospirosis pathogenesisCellular pathogenesisMicePathogenesisInfectionLeptospira interrogansVirulence factorsModifying proteinsImmunizationKidneyLeptospirosisLiverInsights into Plasmodium vivax Asymptomatic Malaria Infections and Direct Skin-Feeding Assays to Assess Onward Malaria Transmission in the Amazon.
Moreno M, Torres K, Tong C, García Castillo SS, Carrasco-Escobar G, Guedez G, Torres L, Herrera-Varela M, Guerra L, Guzman-Guzman M, Wong D, Ramirez R, Llanos-Cuentas A, Conn JE, Gamboa D, Vinetz JM. Insights into Plasmodium vivax Asymptomatic Malaria Infections and Direct Skin-Feeding Assays to Assess Onward Malaria Transmission in the Amazon. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2022, 107: 154-161. PMID: 35895359, PMCID: PMC9294676, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1217.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDirect skin feeding assaysMalaria infectionP. vivax malaria infectionsAsymptomatic malaria infectionsVivax malaria infectionMosquito feeding assaysDiverse epidemiological settingsCohort studySymptomatic infectionAsymptomatic individualsAsymptomatic infectionSymptomatic participantsParasite carriersPlasmodium vivaxEpidemiological settingsMalaria transmissionPlasmodium gametocytesInfectionMajor mosquito vectorsDisease transmissibilityParasite infectionLongitudinal studyMosquito vectorsInfection intensityInfectivity
2024
Effect of spatiotemporal variables on abundance, biting activity and parity of Nyssorhynchus darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae) in peri-Iquitos, Peru
Bickersmith S, Saavedra M, Prussing C, Lange R, Morales J, Alava F, Vinetz J, Gamboa D, Moreno M, Conn J. Effect of spatiotemporal variables on abundance, biting activity and parity of Nyssorhynchus darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae) in peri-Iquitos, Peru. Malaria Journal 2024, 23: 112. PMID: 38641572, PMCID: PMC11031940, DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04940-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaria transmissionBreeding site availabilityPresence of Plasmodium vivaxDry seasonBiting behaviorRisk of malaria transmissionMalaria-endemic regionsHuman malaria casesPlasmodium falciparum sporozoitesRainy seasonCommunity typesNyssorhynchus darlingiRates of parityReal-time PCRAmazonian PeruP. vivaxMalaria casesPlasmodium vivaxHuman landing catchesP. falciparumEffect of seasonMosquito behaviorConclusionsThese dataDaily survivalDarlingi
2023
Optimization of Plasmodium vivax infection of colonized Amazonian Anopheles darlingi
Andrade A, Santos N, Bastos A, Pontual J, Araújo C, Lima A, Martinez L, Ferreira A, Aguiar A, Teles C, Guido R, Santana R, Lopes S, Medeiros J, Rizopoulos Z, Vinetz J, Campo B, Lacerda M, Araújo M. Optimization of Plasmodium vivax infection of colonized Amazonian Anopheles darlingi. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 18207. PMID: 37875508, PMCID: PMC10598059, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44556-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsP. vivax liver stagesPlasmodium vivax infectionPlasmodium vivax sporozoitesLiver stage parasitesP. vivax sporozoitesFemale anopheline mosquitoesVivax infectionLiver stagesHepatocyte infectionVaccine developmentStage parasitesSporozoite viabilityMembrane feeding systemSporozoite productionDrug developmentSporozoitesAnopheline mosquitoesInfectionParasite biologyArtificial membrane feeding systemPatientsSimple centrifugation methodSerum replacementBloodMutations Linked to Insecticide Resistance Not Detected in the Ace-1 or VGSC Genes in Nyssorhynchus darlingi from Multiple Localities in Amazonian Brazil and Peru
Bickersmith S, Jurczynski J, Sallum M, Chaves L, Bergo E, Rodriguez G, Morante C, Rios C, Saavedra M, Alava F, Gamboa D, Vinetz J, Conn J. Mutations Linked to Insecticide Resistance Not Detected in the Ace-1 or VGSC Genes in Nyssorhynchus darlingi from Multiple Localities in Amazonian Brazil and Peru. Genes 2023, 14: 1892. PMID: 37895241, PMCID: PMC10606710, DOI: 10.3390/genes14101892.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIndoor residual sprayMalaria endemic localitiesLow-intensity resistanceResistance mechanismsMalaria hotspotsCommon interventionInsecticidal netsMain resistance mechanismMalaria transmissionGenotypic detectionCodon 280Resistance mutationsEndemic localitiesPrimary malaria vectorVoltage-gated sodium channel geneResidual spraySodium channel geneChannel genesNon-synonymous mutationsACEPresent studyMalaria vectorsInterventionMutationsS6 segmentNatural Infection of Nyssorhynchus darlingi and Nyssorhynchus benarrochi B with Plasmodium during the Dry Season in the Understudied Low-Transmission Setting of Datem del Marañon Province, Amazonian Peru
Conn J, Bickersmith S, Saavedra M, Morales J, Alava F, Rodriguez G, del Aguila Morante C, Tong C, Alvarez-Antonio C, Huanahui J, Vinetz J, Gamboa D. Natural Infection of Nyssorhynchus darlingi and Nyssorhynchus benarrochi B with Plasmodium during the Dry Season in the Understudied Low-Transmission Setting of Datem del Marañon Province, Amazonian Peru. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2023, 109: 288-295. PMID: 37364858, PMCID: PMC10397451, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLow transmission settingsAnnual parasite indexEntomological inoculation rateHuman biting rateHuman landing catchesMinistry of HealthMalaria hotspotsInfective bitesPlasmodium vivaxMalaria transmissionLanding catchesPlasmodium falciparumMalaria researchNatural infectionInoculation rateNyssorhynchus darlingiBiting rateRiverine villagesParasite indexBiteVector control unitsDarlingiLoreto DepartmentInfectionVivaxTransmission-blocking activity of antimalarials for Plasmodium vivax malaria in Anopheles darlingi
Andrade A, Santos N, Bastos A, Pontual J, Araújo J, Silva A, Martinez L, Lima A, Aguiar A, Teles C, Medeiros J, Pereira D, Vinetz J, Gazzinelli R, Araújo M. Transmission-blocking activity of antimalarials for Plasmodium vivax malaria in Anopheles darlingi. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2023, 17: e0011425. PMID: 37327209, PMCID: PMC10310017, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011425.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDensity of gametocytesTransmission-blocking efficacyPlasmodium vivax malariaTransmission-blocking activityImportant infectious diseasesOne-doseVivax malariaP. vivaxMosquito infectionPlasmodium vivaxTreatment groupsPatient's bloodGametocyte productionMalaria transmissionInfectious diseasesGenus PlasmodiumMalariaTreatmentChloroquinePrimaquineVivaxBloodDirect membraneBiological characteristicsMosquitoesComplete genome sequences of twelve strains of Leptospira interrogans isolated from humans in Sri Lanka
Senavirathna I, Jayasundara D, Warnasekara J, Matthias M, Vinetz J, Agampodi S. Complete genome sequences of twelve strains of Leptospira interrogans isolated from humans in Sri Lanka. Infection Genetics And Evolution 2023, 113: 105462. PMID: 37301334, DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105462.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Culture-Independent Detection and Identification of Leptospira Serovars
Matthias M, Lubar A, Acharige S, Chaiboonma K, Pilau N, Marroquin A, Jayasundara D, Agampodi S, Vinetz J. Culture-Independent Detection and Identification of Leptospira Serovars. Microbiology Spectrum 2022, 10: e02475-22. PMID: 36445143, PMCID: PMC9769591, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02475-22.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPublic health importanceProspective studyFatal diseaseHealth importanceOutbreak investigationSequence typingDog urine samplesCulture-independent assaysEnvironmental surveillance studyMultilocus sequence typingPulsed-field gel electrophoresisSurveillance studyGroup IIHuman leptospirosisPrognostic testSpecific real-time qPCRClinical settingGroup ILeptospira serovarsReal-time qPCRDiagnostic testsSerum samplesUrine samplesDiagnostic specificityLeptospirosisGeographical distribution and genetic characterization of pfhrp2 negative Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the Peruvian Amazon
Bendezu J, Torres K, Villasis E, Incardona S, Bell D, Vinetz J, Gamboa D. Geographical distribution and genetic characterization of pfhrp2 negative Plasmodium falciparum parasites in the Peruvian Amazon. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0273872. PMID: 36413547, PMCID: PMC9681099, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273872.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEvidence-Based Malaria Control and Elimination in the Amazon: Input from the International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research Network in Peru and Brazil
Ferreira MU, Gamboa D, Torres K, Rodriguez-Ferrucci H, Soto-Calle VE, Pardo K, Fontoura PS, Tomko SS, Gazzinelli RT, Conn JE, Castro MC, Llanos-Cuentas A, Vinetz JM. Evidence-Based Malaria Control and Elimination in the Amazon: Input from the International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research Network in Peru and Brazil. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2022, 107: 160-167. PMID: 36228907, PMCID: PMC9662230, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1272.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaria controlAsymptomatic Plasmodium infectionsPredominant malaria parasitePublic health decision makersMalaria control strategiesPublic health implicationsIndoor residual sprayingBetter malaria controlHealth decision makersVector control measuresPlasmodium infectionInfectious reservoirMalaria burdenPlasmodium vivaxBed netsPublic health policymakingElimination programMalaria parasitesResidual sprayingMalaria researchHealth implicationsNyssorhynchus darlingiDiagnostic methodsHealth policymakingResearch NetworkStructure–function analysis of cysteine residues in the plasmodium falciparum chitinase, PfCHT1
Kaur H, Garber L, Murphy JW, Vinetz JM. Structure–function analysis of cysteine residues in the plasmodium falciparum chitinase, PfCHT1. Protein Science 2022, 31: e4289. PMID: 35481637, PMCID: PMC8994504, DOI: 10.1002/pro.4289.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPutative chitin-binding domainChitin-binding domainPlasmodium ookinetesProtein-protein interactionsRecombinant protein productionIntermolecular protein-protein interactionsMosquito midgut invasionStructure-function analysisEnzymatic activityIntramolecular disulfide linkagesIntermolecular disulfide bondingChitin-containing peritrophic matrixParasite cladesMidgut invasionPeritrophic matrixCysteine residuesProtein productionChitinase activityBiochemical studiesDisulfide bondingUnpaired cysteineChitinaseMalaria parasitesE. coliMutantsNyssorhynchus darlingi genome-wide studies related to microgeographic dispersion and blood-seeking behavior
Alvarez M, Alonso D, Kadri S, Rufalco-Moutinho P, Bernardes I, de Mello A, Souto A, Carrasco-Escobar G, Moreno M, Gamboa D, Vinetz J, Conn J, Ribolla P. Nyssorhynchus darlingi genome-wide studies related to microgeographic dispersion and blood-seeking behavior. Parasites & Vectors 2022, 15: 106. PMID: 35346342, PMCID: PMC8961893, DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05219-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesSingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markersGenome-wide studiesLow-coverage whole-genome sequencingGenomic sequencing dataMajor malaria vectorCircadian rhythm genesFemale timingPopulation stratification analysisWhole-genome sequencingMicrogeographic scaleSNP markersPolymorphism markersPopulation structureSequencing dataAssociation studiesInsecticide resistanceDusk/dawnRhythm genesGenotype imputationGenesFemale mosquitoesMalaria vectorsBlood mealGenetic association
2021
Asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Brazilian Amazon: Submicroscopic parasitemic blood infects Nyssorhynchus darlingi
Almeida GG, Costa PAC, da Silva Araujo M, Gomes GR, Carvalho AF, Figueiredo MM, Pereira DB, Tada MS, Medeiros JF, da Silva Soares I, Carvalho LH, Kano FS, de Castro M, Vinetz JM, Golenbock DT, do Valle Antonelli L, Gazzinelli RT. Asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria in the Brazilian Amazon: Submicroscopic parasitemic blood infects Nyssorhynchus darlingi. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15: e0009077. PMID: 34714821, PMCID: PMC8555776, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009077.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAsymptomatic individualsP. vivaxP. vivax malaria patientsP. vivax infectionVivax malaria patientsPlasmodium vivax malariaLow endemicity areaMalaria patientsSymptomatic patientsAsymptomatic infectionVivax malariaVivax infectionInfectious reservoirLow parasitemiaUninfected controlsEndemic regionsMalaria transmissionInfectivity ratesMalaria parasitesBiochemical parametersParasitemiaBloodPotential rolePatientsInfectionEvolutionary Insights into the Microneme-Secreted, Chitinase-Containing High-Molecular-Weight Protein Complexes Involved in Plasmodium Invasion of the Mosquito Midgut
Kaur H, Pacheco MA, Garber L, Escalante AA, Vinetz JM. Evolutionary Insights into the Microneme-Secreted, Chitinase-Containing High-Molecular-Weight Protein Complexes Involved in Plasmodium Invasion of the Mosquito Midgut. Infection And Immunity 2021, 90: e00314-21. PMID: 34606368, PMCID: PMC8788677, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00314-21.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeritrophic matrixMosquito midgutNew genomic insightsWeight protein complexesHigh-resolution structural modelingDomain-related proteinEvolutionary insightsInvasion machineryGenomic insightsMicronemal proteinsProtein complexesThree-dimensional structureMosquito interactionsGenomic dataPlasmodium invasionProteolytic milieuMidgut epitheliumWeight complexesAdhesive proteinsOokinetesGeneral mechanismProteinChitinasesMidgutChitinaseIntegrating Parasitological and Entomological Observations to Understand Malaria Transmission in Riverine Villages in the Peruvian Amazon
Rosas-Aguirre A, Moreno M, Moreno-Gutierrez D, Llanos-Cuentas A, Saavedra M, Contreras-Mancilla J, Barboza J, Alava F, Aguirre K, Carrasco G, Prussing C, Vinetz J, Conn JE, Speybroeck N, Gamboa D. Integrating Parasitological and Entomological Observations to Understand Malaria Transmission in Riverine Villages in the Peruvian Amazon. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2021, 223: s99-s110. PMID: 33906225, PMCID: PMC8079135, DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa496.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaria prevalenceMalaria transmissionRiverine villagesMalaria risk factorsMalaria transmission dynamicsSubmicroscopic infectionsLocal epidemiologyPolymerase chain reactionIncidence rateRisk factorsHigh prevalenceMalaria casesTreat interventionMalaria strategyPlasmodium vivaxPrevalenceChain reactionTransmission dynamicsAdult AnophelesHigh heterogeneityEcology and larval population dynamics of the primary malaria vector Nyssorhynchus darlingi in a high transmission setting dominated by fish farming in western Amazonian Brazil
Rufalco-Moutinho P, Kadri S, Alonso D, Moreno M, Carrasco-Escobar G, Prussing C, Gamboa D, Vinetz JM, Sallum M, Conn JE, Ribolla P. Ecology and larval population dynamics of the primary malaria vector Nyssorhynchus darlingi in a high transmission setting dominated by fish farming in western Amazonian Brazil. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0246215. PMID: 33831004, PMCID: PMC8031405, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246215.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh transmission settingsHigh human densityHuman biting rateMalaria transmission hotspotsWestern Amazonian BrazilLocal malaria burdenLarval population dynamicsAquatic vegetationLandscape typesHuman densitySame sampling periodMalaria burdenRural landscapesTransmission settingsDarlingi larvaeWestern AcrePopulation maintenanceUrban landscapeAdult samplingMain malaria vectorBreeding sitesLandscape profileDry seasonMalaria vector speciesPopulation dynamicsNext-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Pathogenic Leptospira: A Way Forward for Understanding Infectious Disease Dynamics in Low/Middle-Income, Disease-Endemic Settings.
Agampodi SB, Vinetz JM. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of Pathogenic Leptospira: A Way Forward for Understanding Infectious Disease Dynamics in Low/Middle-Income, Disease-Endemic Settings. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2021, 104: 1625-1627. PMID: 33755589, PMCID: PMC8103479, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1518.Peer-Reviewed Original Research12 Novel clonal groups of Leptospira infecting humans in multiple contrasting epidemiological contexts in Sri Lanka
Jayasundara D, Senavirathna I, Warnasekara J, Gamage C, Siribaddana S, Kularatne SAM, Matthias M, Mariet JF, Picardeau M, Agampodi S, Vinetz J. 12 Novel clonal groups of Leptospira infecting humans in multiple contrasting epidemiological contexts in Sri Lanka. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15: e0009272. PMID: 33735202, PMCID: PMC8009393, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009272.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClonal groupsAcute kidney injuryL. interrogansMajor clinical challengeGlobal disease threatsLeptospira speciesL. interrogans infectionKidney injuryLiver impairmentCardiovascular involvementL. borgpeterseniiClinical presentationProspective studyClinical severityClinical challengePathogenic Leptospira speciesAnnual epidemicsUbiquitous zoonotic diseaseNew serogroupEpidemiological contextZoonotic diseaseCulture isolationLeptospiral culturesL. weiliiLeptospira diversity