Data on selected antimalarial drug resistance markers in Zambia

Abstract

This article describes data on selected resistance markers for antimalarial drugs used in Zambia. Antimalarial drug resistance has hindered the progress in the control and elimination of malaria. Blood samples were collected during a cross-sectional household survey, conducted during the peak malaria transmission, April to May of 2017. Dried blood spots were collected during the survey and transported to a laboratory for analysis. The analysed included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by high resolution melt (HRM) for mutations associated with Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr) and P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) genes. Mutations associated with artemether-lumefantrine resistance in falciparum multi-drug resistance gene 1 ( Pfmdr1 ) were also assessed using PCR and HRM analysis, whereas the P. falciparum Kelch 13 ( PfK13 ) gene was assessed using nested PCR followed by amplicon sequencing.

Temporal genomic analysis ofPlasmodium falciparumreveals increased prevalence of mutations associated with delayed clearance following treatment with artemisinin-lumefantrine in Choma District, Southern Province, Zambia

“…This was not surprising since mutations in these genes have been previously documented within Zambia. 46 While AL retains its efficacy against uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Zambia, the upsurge of MDR1 N F D haplotype in recent years associated with lumefantrine resistance calls for close monitoring of mutations associated to partner drugs. 47 We did not find any evidence for mutations that would affect amodiaquine efficacy.…”

Malaria research supported with open access data

“…These drugs are still important treatment courses and continued surveillance for resistance is necessary. Sitali et al published powerful surveillance data on certain indicators of several classes of antimalarials, with their observations indicating that ACTs are still effective in their surveyed population (Zambia) [ 12 , 13 ]. Epidemiological parameters beyond drug resistance checks are an important facet too, and these should include basic local population observations [14] and other qualitative or categorical observations of severe complications such as cerebral malaria [15] .…”