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 AmericaMalariaImmunologyResponseInsights 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 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 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 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 knowledgeEtiologyEpidemiological characteristics of P. vivax asymptomatic infections in the Peruvian Amazon
Villasis E, Castillo S, Guzman M, Torres J, Gomez J, Garro K, Cordova AM, Reategui C, Abanto C, Vinetz J, Gamboa D, Torres K. Epidemiological characteristics of P. vivax asymptomatic infections in the Peruvian Amazon. Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology 2022, 12: 901423. PMID: 36118037, PMCID: PMC9471197, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.901423.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCase-control studyAntimalarial treatmentMalaria symptomsHematological parametersControl individualsCommon malaria symptomsNegative microscopy resultsHistory of comorbiditiesMalaria control measuresClinical immunityMalaria microscopyAsymptomatic infectionMalaria infectionEpidemiological characteristicsChronic infectionMost infectionsMalaria eliminationDay 21Positive qPCR resultsInfected individualsPopulation screeningSYM groupInfectionQPCR resultsLast monthMalaria 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 transmissionVivaxNyssorhynchus 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
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 riskIntegrating 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 dynamicsNew 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
2004
Plasmodium Ookinete-secreted Proteins Secreted through a Common Micronemal Pathway Are Targets of Blocking Malaria Transmission*
Li F, Templeton TJ, Popov V, Comer JE, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Vinetz JM. Plasmodium Ookinete-secreted Proteins Secreted through a Common Micronemal Pathway Are Targets of Blocking Malaria Transmission*. Journal Of Biological Chemistry 2004, 279: 26635-26644. PMID: 15069061, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m401385200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBlotting, WesternCell MembraneChitinasesCulicidaeCytoplasmDNA, ComplementaryElectrophoresis, Polyacrylamide GelEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFluorescent Antibody Technique, IndirectImmunohistochemistryLigandsMalariaMicroscopy, ElectronMicroscopy, FluorescenceMicroscopy, ImmunoelectronMolecular Sequence DataPlasmodiumPlasmodium falciparumProtein BindingProtozoan ProteinsReceptors, Cell SurfaceRecombinant ProteinsSequence Homology, Amino AcidSpecies SpecificityConceptsMicroneme secretory organellesDomain-related proteinP. gallinaceumImmunofluorescence localization studiesMicronemal proteinsIndirect immunofluorescence localization studiesSecretory organellesOokinete stagePlasmodium ookinetesLocalization studiesSporogonic stagesParasite infectivityTransmission-blocking vaccine candidateProteinMalaria parasitesPgCHT1Malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidateApical endA. aegyptiAnopheles mosquitoesAedes aegyptiPlasmodium gallinaceumVon Willebrand factorImmunological targetsVaccine candidates
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 transmission