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
Recurrence patterns and evolution of submicroscopic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax infections in malaria-endemic areas of the Peruvian Amazon
Castillo S, Alvarez C, Rosas-Aguirre Á, Acosta C, Corder R, Gómez J, Guzmán M, Speybroeck N, Llanos-Cuentas A, Castro M, Rosanas-Urgell A, Ferreira M, Vinetz J, Gamboa D, Torres K. Recurrence patterns and evolution of submicroscopic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax infections in malaria-endemic areas of the Peruvian Amazon. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024, 18: e0012566. PMID: 39480785, PMCID: PMC11527163, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012566.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRisk of P. vivax infectionPlasmodium vivax malaria transmissionFactors associated with recurrenceVivax malaria transmissionPlasmodium vivax infectionMalaria-endemic areasPopulation-based cohort studyFrequency of recurrenceApplication of molecular diagnostic methodsMalaria recurrenceMalaria infectionMalaria transmissionVivax infectionRecurrence rateMolecular diagnostic methodsRecurrence riskConsequences of prolonged exposureFollow-upCohort studyEndemic settingsRecurrenceAsymptomatic infectionAsymptomatic casesInfectionInitial infectionLower Microscopy Sensitivity with Decreasing Malaria Prevalence in the Urban Amazon Region, Brazil, 2018–2021 - Volume 30, Number 9—September 2024 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC
Rodrigues P, Johansen I, Ladeia W, Esquivel F, Corder R, Tonini J, Calil P, Fernandes A, Fontoura P, Cavasini C, Vinetz J, Castro M, Ferreira M, . Lower Microscopy Sensitivity with Decreasing Malaria Prevalence in the Urban Amazon Region, Brazil, 2018–2021 - Volume 30, Number 9—September 2024 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2024, 30: 1884-1894. PMID: 39174028, PMCID: PMC11346994, DOI: 10.3201/eid3009.240378.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEffectiveness of malaria controlDecreasing malaria prevalenceEpidemiology of malariaPoint-of-care microscopyThreshold of microscopyPlasmodium vivaxMalaria prevalenceMalarial infectionMalaria controlMalaria transmissionP. falciparumMicroscopy sensitivityParasite densityAsymptomatic infectionRoutine surveillanceMalariaPrevalence surveyInfectionPrevalenceParasite genotypesTransmission hotspotsElimination strategiesRural residentsMolecular methodsCDCGenomic surveillance of malaria parasites in an indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon
Cabrera-Sosa L, Nolasco O, Kattenberg J, Fernandez-Miñope C, Valdivia H, Barazorda K, Arévalo de los Rios S, Rodriguez-Ferrucci H, Vinetz J, Rosanas-Urgell A, Van geertruyden J, Gamboa D, Delgado-Ratto C. Genomic surveillance of malaria parasites in an indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon. Scientific Reports 2024, 14: 16291. PMID: 39009685, PMCID: PMC11250820, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66925-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPassive case detectionPf parasitesPersistent malaria transmissionPfhrp2/3 gene deletionsDeep sequencing assaySulfadoxine-pyrimethamineMalaria casesMalaria eliminationPlasmodium vivaxMalaria parasitesMalaria transmissionP. falciparumResistance mutationsImported infectionsMalariaPopulation genetic indicesSequencing assayCase detectionGene deletionPV populationResistance markersGenetic diversityPeruvian AmazonGenomic surveillanceGenetic indicesComputational reassessment of RNA-seq data reveals key genes in active tuberculosis
Arya R, Shakya H, Chaurasia R, Kumar S, Vinetz J, Kim J. Computational reassessment of RNA-seq data reveals key genes in active tuberculosis. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0305582. PMID: 38935691, PMCID: PMC11210783, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305582.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMolecular Complex DetectionProtein-protein interactionsDeregulated genesGene OntologyRNA-seq dataGene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databaseIncreasing prevalence of multidrug-resistantGEO2R online toolPrevalence of multidrug resistancePathway enrichment analysisExpression levelsPatterns of variationGene expression levelsArea under curveInnate immune responseGene networksCore genesMicroarray datasetsSTRING databaseTranscript levelsEnrichment analysisGenesInterferon signalingInterferon-gamma signalingResponse to Mtb infectionEffect 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 survivalDarlingiA prospective cohort study linking migration, climate, and malaria risk in the Peruvian Amazon – CORRIGENDUM
Gunderson A, Recalde-Coronel C, Zaitchik B, Yori P, Pinedo S, Olortegui M, Kosek M, Vinetz J, Pan W. A prospective cohort study linking migration, climate, and malaria risk in the Peruvian Amazon – CORRIGENDUM. Epidemiology And Infection 2024, 152: e5. PMID: 38214060, PMCID: PMC10789972, DOI: 10.1017/s0950268824000025.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
A prospective cohort study linking migration, climate, and malaria risk in the Peruvian Amazon
Gunderson A, Recalde-Coronel C, Zaitchik B, Yori P, Pinedo S, Olortegui M, Kosek M, Vinetz J, Pan W. A prospective cohort study linking migration, climate, and malaria risk in the Peruvian Amazon. Epidemiology And Infection 2023, 151: e202. PMID: 38031496, PMCID: PMC10753477, DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823001838.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOptimization 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 replacementBloodDifferences in Mortality Among Patients With Asthma and COPD Hospitalized With COVID-19
Liu Y, Rajeevan H, Simonov M, Lee S, Wilson F, Desir G, Vinetz J, Yan X, Wang Z, Clark B, Possick J, Price C, Lutchmansingh D, Ortega H, Zaeh S, Gomez J, Cohn L, Gautam S, Chupp G. Differences in Mortality Among Patients With Asthma and COPD Hospitalized With COVID-19. The Journal Of Allergy And Clinical Immunology In Practice 2023, 11: 3383-3390.e3. PMID: 37454926, PMCID: PMC10787810, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.07.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseType 2 inflammationCOVID-19 severitySOFA scoreAirway diseaseNoneosinophilic asthmaSequential Organ Failure Assessment scoreOrgan Failure Assessment scoreSevere coronavirus disease 2019Higher SOFA scoreMedian SOFA scoreRetrospective cohort studyObstructive pulmonary diseaseOdds of mortalityLower SOFA scoresCells/μLCOVID-19 outcomesCoronavirus disease 2019Logistic regression analysisCOVID-19Clinical confoundersAsthma patientsCohort studyImmunological factorsClinical featuresNatural 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 specificityLeptospirosisEffect of Androgen–Androgen Receptor Directed Therapy on COVID-19 Outcome in Prostate Cancer Patients
Ünlü S, Shin J, Par-Young J, Simonov M, Vinetz J, Petrylak D, Kang I, Kim J. Effect of Androgen–Androgen Receptor Directed Therapy on COVID-19 Outcome in Prostate Cancer Patients. Cancer Investigation 2022, 41: 77-83. PMID: 36373994, DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2022.2139839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProstate cancer patientsCOVID-19 outcomesCancer patientsPoor COVID-19 outcomesAndrogen-androgen receptorExpression of TMPRSS2COVID-19 infectionSARS-CoV-2Directed therapyMean hospitalizationPCa patientsHospitalization ratesPCa casesRetrospective analysisOutcome differencesPatientsDefinitive conclusionsStatistical significanceData generate hypothesesHospitalizationTherapyTMPRSS2Cellular entryOutcomesARDTEffect of out-of-village working activities on recent malaria exposure in the Peruvian Amazon using parametric g-formula
Carrasco-Escobar G, Rosado J, Nolasco O, White M, Mueller I, Castro M, Rodriguez-Ferruci H, Gamboa D, Llanos-Cuentas A, Vinetz J, Benmarhnia T. Effect of out-of-village working activities on recent malaria exposure in the Peruvian Amazon using parametric g-formula. Scientific Reports 2022, 12: 19144. PMID: 36351988, PMCID: PMC9645738, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23528-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecent malaria exposureMalaria exposurePopulation-based cross-sectional studyCommunity-level transmissionMalaria elimination strategiesCross-sectional studyPotential health benefitsWorking activitiesRisk differenceOccupational interventionsMalaria transmissionAdult populationOccupational activitiesHeterogeneous patternUnexposed populationIndividual riskHealth benefitsPopulation subgroupsRural areasElimination strategyVillage workersMean outcomeIntervention scenariosExposurePopulationEvidence-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 NetworkEtiologies of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses in and near Iquitos from 1993 to 1999 in the Amazon River Basin of Peru
Watts DM, Russell KL, Wooster MT, Sharp TW, Morrison AC, Kochel TJ, Bautista CT, Block K, Guevara C, Aguilar P, Palermo PM, Calampa C, Porter KR, Hayes CG, Weaver SC, de Rosa AT, Vinetz JM, Shope RE, Gotuzzo E, Guzman H, Tesh RB. Etiologies of Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses in and near Iquitos from 1993 to 1999 in the Amazon River Basin of Peru. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2022, 107: 1114-1128. PMID: 36162442, PMCID: PMC9709010, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0259.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFebrile illnessAcute undifferentiated febrile illnessUndifferentiated febrile illnessFebrile patientsAcute leptospirosisFebrile casesAsymptomatic infectionIgG antibodiesHealth burdenHealth clinicsClinical dataBlood samplesMicroscopic agglutinationDengue virusPatientsEncephalitis virusBlood smearsHuman morbidityLeptospira sppMalariaFurther studiesArbovirusesHealth impactsBaseline knowledgeEtiology