Featured Publications
Insights 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
Evaluation of combination vaccines targeting transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax
Cao Y, Hayashi C, Araujo M, Tripathi A, Andrade A, Medeiros J, Vinetz J, Kumar N. Evaluation of combination vaccines targeting transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Vaccine 2024, 126140. PMID: 39033079, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.07.041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDirect membrane feeding assaysTransmission-reducing activityStandard membrane feeding assayMembrane feeding assaysP. vivaxDNA vaccineP. falciparumPlasmodium falciparumTransmission of Plasmodium falciparumAntibody responseDNA vaccine platformP. vivax accountsGlobal malaria burdenTransmission-blocking activityTransmission of malariaCombination of DNA vaccineIn vivo electroporationCombined DNA vaccineMalaria burdenMalaria transmissionTransmission-blockingAssess immunogenicityVaccine platformClinical studiesCombination groupGenomic 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 indicesEffect 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
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 ResearchMutations 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 characteristicsMosquitoes
2022
Effect 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 scenariosExposurePopulationMalaria transmission structure in the Peruvian Amazon through antibody signatures to Plasmodium vivax
Rosado J, Carrasco-Escobar G, Nolasco O, Garro K, Rodriguez-Ferruci H, Guzman-Guzman M, Llanos-Cuentas A, Vinetz JM, Nekkab N, White MT, Mueller I, Gamboa D. Malaria transmission structure in the Peruvian Amazon through antibody signatures to Plasmodium vivax. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2022, 16: e0010415. PMID: 35533146, PMCID: PMC9119515, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010415.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSerological exposure markersP. vivaxMalaria transmissionAntibody levelsRecent exposureRoutine malaria surveillanceHigher antibody levelsCross-sectional surveyLight microscopySeropositive casesAntibody signaturesPast infectionRisk factorsPrevalence surveyHigher oddsMalaria surveillanceExposure markersElimination effortsSignificant associationSocio-DemographicEpidemiological analysisSerological surveillanceParticular epidemiologyLocal transmissionVivaxRelative contribution of low-density and asymptomatic infections to Plasmodium vivax transmission in the Amazon: pooled analysis of individual participant data from population-based cross-sectional surveys
Ferreira MU, Corder RM, Johansen IC, Kattenberg JH, Moreno M, Rosas-Aguirre A, Ladeia-Andrade S, Conn JE, Llanos-Cuentas A, Gamboa D, Rosanas-Urgell A, Vinetz JM. Relative contribution of low-density and asymptomatic infections to Plasmodium vivax transmission in the Amazon: pooled analysis of individual participant data from population-based cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health - Americas 2022, 9: 100169. PMID: 35663000, PMCID: PMC9161731, DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100169.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIndividual participant dataPolymerase chain reactionClinical manifestationsParasite densityMosquito infectionMalaria transmissionPopulation-based cross-sectional surveyParticipant dataMalaria elimination strategiesPopulation-based surveyHigh parasite densityCross-sectional surveyInfected childrenClinical symptomsAsymptomatic infectionUS National InstitutesAsymptomatic carriersParasite carriersInfectious reservoirVivax transmissionInfectionFundação de Amparo à PesquisaChain reactionNational InstituteElimination strategy
2021
Cohort profile: the Mâncio Lima cohort study of urban malaria in Amazonian Brazil
Johansen IC, Rodrigues PT, Tonini J, Vinetz J, Castro MC, Ferreira MU. Cohort profile: the Mâncio Lima cohort study of urban malaria in Amazonian Brazil. BMJ Open 2021, 11: e048073. PMID: 34789490, PMCID: PMC8727682, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaria transmissionCohort studyPopulation-based open cohort studySARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodiesConsecutive cross-sectional surveysLaboratory-confirmed malariaSustained malaria transmissionOpen cohort studyConsecutive study visitsHigh-risk individualsSimilar study protocolMalaria prevalence ratesCross-sectional surveyMorbidity informationIgG antibodiesStudy protocolStudy visitOverall burdenPrevalence ratesBlood samplesMalaria diagnosisTravel historyControl interventionsStudy participantsGreater riskAsymptomatic 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 rolePatientsInfectionIntegrating 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 heterogeneityNew Records of Anopheles benarrochi B (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malaria Hotspots in the Amazon Regions of Ecuador and Peru
Viteri D, Herrera-Varela M, Albuja M, Quiroga C, Diaz G, del Aguila Morante C, Ramirez D, Vinetz J, Bickersmith S, Conn J. New Records of Anopheles benarrochi B (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malaria Hotspots in the Amazon Regions of Ecuador and Peru. Journal Of Medical Entomology 2021, 58: 1234-1240. PMID: 33511394, PMCID: PMC8349109, DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa293.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2016
Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Peru
Rosas-Aguirre A, Gamboa D, Manrique P, Conn JE, Moreno M, Lescano AG, Sanchez JF, Rodriguez H, Silva H, Llanos-Cuentas A, Vinetz JM. Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Peru. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2016, 95: 133-144. PMID: 27799639, PMCID: PMC5201219, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0268.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaria transmissionP. vivaxMalaria controlPlasmodium falciparum malaria casesMicroscopy-confirmed casesP. vivax malaria transmissionFalciparum malaria casesPlasmodium vivax malariaVivax malaria transmissionPublic health problemGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiencyFuture malaria controlImplementation of surveillanceCombination therapyVivax malariaClinical trialsMalaria casesPlasmodium vivaxElimination effortsHealth problemsP. falciparumMosquito transmissionDehydrogenase deficiencyVivaxOngoing surveillance activities
2007
OOKINETE SECRETION OF A HIGH‐MOLECULAR‐WEIGHT COMPLEX‐MEDIATING SERINE PROTEASE ACTIVATION OF A MALARIA PARASITE PROCHITINASE CRITICAL FOR MALARIA TRANSMISSION.: 289
Dehority W, Li F, Vinetz J. OOKINETE SECRETION OF A HIGH‐MOLECULAR‐WEIGHT COMPLEX‐MEDIATING SERINE PROTEASE ACTIVATION OF A MALARIA PARASITE PROCHITINASE CRITICAL FOR MALARIA TRANSMISSION.: 289. Journal Of Investigative Medicine 2007, 55: s123. DOI: 10.1097/00042871-200701010-00296.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2001
Knockout of the Rodent Malaria Parasite Chitinase PbCHT1 Reduces Infectivity to Mosquitoes
Dessens J, Mendoza J, Claudianos C, Vinetz J, Khater E, Hassard S, Ranawaka G, Sinden R. Knockout of the Rodent Malaria Parasite Chitinase PbCHT1 Reduces Infectivity to Mosquitoes. Infection And Immunity 2001, 69: 4041-4047. PMID: 11349074, PMCID: PMC98467, DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.6.4041-4047.2001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeritrophic matrixChitinase geneChitinase activityHuman malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparumMalaria parasite Plasmodium falciparumPlasmodium-mosquito interactionsAvian malaria parasite Plasmodium gallinaceumAvian malaria transmissionParasite Plasmodium falciparumMalaria parasite Plasmodium gallinaceumChitin-containing structuresNull mutantsRodent malaria parasiteInfected blood mealMalaria ookinetesTransmission-blocking drugsAnopheles stephensi mosquitoesMidgut invasionStructural orthologsMosquito midgutOokinete invasionPM disruptionMidgut epitheliumTargeted disruptionMalaria transmissionPlasmodium ookinete-secreted chitinase and parasite penetration of the mosquito peritrophic matrix
Langer R, Vinetz J. Plasmodium ookinete-secreted chitinase and parasite penetration of the mosquito peritrophic matrix. Trends In Parasitology 2001, 17: 269-272. PMID: 11378031, DOI: 10.1016/s1471-4922(01)01918-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMosquito midgutMalaria transmission-blocking strategiesParasite-mosquito interactionsTransmission-blocking strategiesTransmission-blocking drugsGlobal malaria controlPeritrophic matrixMalaria transmissionTransgenic mosquitoesMalaria controlCandidate targetsChitinasesMidgutChitinaseCrucial roleVaccine
1999
The chitinase PfCHT1 from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum lacks proenzyme and chitin-binding domains and displays unique substrate preferences
Vinetz J, Dave S, Specht C, Brameld K, Xu B, Hayward R, Fidock D. The chitinase PfCHT1 from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum lacks proenzyme and chitin-binding domains and displays unique substrate preferences. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 1999, 96: 14061-14066. PMID: 10570198, PMCID: PMC24190, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.24.14061.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcetylglucosamineAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceBinding SitesChitinChitinasesEnzyme ActivationEnzyme InhibitorsEnzyme PrecursorsGene ExpressionGenes, ProtozoanHumansHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationMalariaModels, MolecularMolecular Sequence DataPlasmodium falciparumProtein ConformationProtozoan ProteinsSequence Homology, Amino AcidSubstrate SpecificityTrisaccharidesConceptsP. gallinaceumHuman malaria transmissionMosquito midgut epitheliumChitinase geneHuman malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparumChitin-binding domainMalaria parasite Plasmodium falciparumPfCHT1PgCHT1Malaria transmissionParasite Plasmodium falciparumPeritrophic matrixSubstrate preferenceP. falciparum genome databasePlasmodium falciparumMosquito midgutOocyst developmentParasite invasionBlood mealActive recombinant enzymeP. falciparum genesUnique substrate preferenceDifferential sensitivityGenome databaseHexameric oligomers