Last Updated: 02/10/2024

Characterization of metabolites associated with Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale hypnozoites

Objectives

To identify biomarkers to detect dormant Plasmodia hypnozoites in a previously malaria-infected individual as a diagnostic method and to screen for new therapeutics.

Principal Investigators / Focal Persons

Abdoulaye Djimde

Rationale and Abstract

Malaria remains one of the deadliest parasitic diseases in the world, with 95% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Most research focuses on the most prevalent causative parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, but other strains, including P. vivax and P. ovale, are likely to become more dominant. These strains uniquely produce hypnozoites, which can lay dormant for years in the liver where they are undetectable and resistant to treatment. They will generate hypnozoite-containing liver cells in vitro and subject them to metabolomics analysis to identify hypnozoite-associated biomarkers. Candidate biomarkers will then be validated in serum samples from thirty infected individuals.

Date

Oct 2023 — Oct 2025

Total Project Funding

$278,749

Funding Details
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), United States

Grand Challenges. Supporting Researchers Through the Technologies of the Global Health Discovery Collaboratory Platforms
Grant ID: inv-060661
Project Site

Mali

SHARE
SHARE