Malaria drug resistance in Brazil

AbstractParticipants:- Pedro Gil, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Sweden (visiting Brazil:15 Sept-15 Dec. 2022)- Taís de Sousa, Instituto Rachou (IR), FioCruz, Brazil. (visiting Sweden: 1 Jan-31 Dec 2022)RelevanceThe Brazilian northern borders are a focus of malaria drug resistance, including artemisinins.

We will gather information for a better management of these resistance infections, including testing a next generation antimalarial.

The project will set the basis for further collaborative research in malaria drug resistance between the two institutions.Planned Program(1) Genomic analysis of infections from drug resistance foci, searching for specific mutation patterns in drug resistance genes. (at KI)(2) Test the new antimalarial KAF156, a future option for artemisinin resistant settings, in Brazilian culture adapted P. falciparum. (at KI)(3) Study of the diversity of pvcarl, a potential marker of KAF156 resistance in Plasmodium vivax, as this drug is also aimed for P. vivax malaria. (at IR)Popular scientific descriptionThe northern borders of Brazil are a craddle for drug resistance malaria, especially among the elusive communities of illegal miners.

These resistant parasites are a public health danger for Brazil.In this researcher exchange program we will study the genomes of these special parasites, looking for special mutations associated with resistance, while testing KAF156, a new antimalarial under development as an alternative to manage drug resistant malaria.