Why some vivax malaria infections resist chloroquine
Molecular basis of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium vivax
This project looks for genetic changes in P. vivax that make antimalarial drugs like chloroquine stop working so people with vivax malaria can get effective treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285349 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect blood samples from people with P. vivax infections, especially where chloroquine treatment appears to fail, and perform genomic sequencing of the parasites. The team will focus on candidate drug transporter genes (pvmdr1, pvcrt-o, pvmrp1) and compare sequences and expression levels across regions. Because P. vivax is hard to grow long-term in the lab, they will combine ex vivo drug sensitivity tests, comparative genomics, and model-system experiments to link specific gene changes to reduced drug response. The goal is to identify parasite markers that explain resistance and guide better treatment choices and surveillance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with confirmed P. vivax malaria who can provide a blood sample, particularly from areas where chloroquine seems less effective.
Not a fit: People without P. vivax infection, those unwilling to give blood samples, or those in regions where chloroquine remains reliably effective are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians predict when chloroquine will fail and choose more effective drugs, reducing illness and aiding malaria control.
How similar studies have performed: Related genomic and ex vivo approaches have identified resistance markers in P. falciparum, but clear genetic markers for P. vivax resistance are less established and remain an open question.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duraisingh, Manoj T — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Duraisingh, Manoj T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.