A collaborative project conducted by scientists from the Institut Pasteur in Cambodia, the Institut Pasteur in Paris, the Institut Cochin, the Laboratory of Applied Mathematics at Paris Descartes University, Columbia University (New York, USA) and the National Malaria Control Program in Cambodia has identified a molecular marker able to detect Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites resistant to piperaquine, a drug currently used in combination with artemisinin derivatives in the latest generation of antimalarial treatments recommended by the WHO. This discovery should pave the way for rapid monitoring strategies and enable public health policy makers to recommend effective antimalarial treatments adapted to the local epidemiological situation.
Location of study sites where dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine clinical efficacy studies were done in 2009–15 © World Health Organization
The publication: A surrogate marker of piperaquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Epub 2016 Nov 3. Witkowski B, Duru V, Khim N, Ross LS, Saintpierre B, Beghain J, Chy S, Kim S, Ke S, Kloeung N, Eam R, Khean C, Ken M, Loch K, Bouillon A, Domergue A, Ma L, Bouchier C, Leang R, Huy R, Nuel G, Barale JC, Legrand E, Ringwald P, Fidock DA, Mercereau-Puijalon O, Ariey F, Ménard D. From press release, Institut Pasteur, 4 November 2016.
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