WHO September update on artemisinin resistance

This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update on the status of artemisinin resistance in affected countries. A key focus of this report is the detection of molecular markers of resistance associated with the Kelch-13 gene. These markers of resistance are important in the surveillance of artemisinin drug resistance as their early detection is facilitating the tracking of resistance as it presents itself.

Recent studies show that these markers of resistance are unlikely to have spread from Cambodia to Myanmar, but rather may have emerged independently. Molecular mutations on the Kelch-13 gene, similar to those found in Southeast Asia, have also been reported in several African countries. So far, these mutations have not been associated with drug resistance to antimalarial treatments, but the full impact these mutations have on artemisinin suceceptibility is not well understood. 

Continued rapid surveillance and tracking of these molecular markers by the WHO and partners, is key to understanding the spread of antimalarial drug resistance, the independent emergence of resistance and also the effect similar mutations reported in Africa have on artemisinin susceptibility to the malaria parasite.

The WHO regularly issues these updates, which bring together the latest findings and conclusions about the state of resistance to artemisinins. this report summarises current policy and treatment recommendations, and highlights areas of concern. The updates also list key recommendations from the Global plan for artemisinin resistance containment (GPARC), issued in 2011.

 Read the Report

WHO Global Malaria Programme - Status report on artemisinin resistance. September 2014.

Related Publications

Plowe C.V. et al. Independent emergence of Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin resistance mutations in Southeast Asia. The Journal of Infectious Diseases; doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiu491. First published online September 1, 2014.

Taylor S. et al. Absence of putative Plasmodium falciparum artemisinin resistance mutations in sub-Saharan Africa: A molecular epidemiologic study. The Journal of Infectious Diseases; doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiu467. First published online September 1, 2014.

Sibley C. Artemisinin resistance: the more we know, the more complicated it appears. The Journal of Infectious Diseases; doi:10.1093/infdis/jiu469. First published online September 1, 2014