Scientists have discovered a set of rapidly spreading genetic mutations in the malaria parasite that reduce its susceptibility to front-line treatments, raising new alarms about the durability of the world's most widely used antimalarial drugs.
Brown University-led researchers found mutations in the malaria parasite's PX1 gene tied to reduced susceptibility to three antimalarial drugs, according to a study published Monday in Nature Medicine.nature+1
The variants mark the first molecular marker linked to resistance against multiple components of artemether-lumefantrine, the frontline combination therapy across sub-Saharan Africa.brown+1
The mutations are spreading rapidly in Uganda, and researchers say the findings underscore an urgent need for new antimalarial drugs and better surveillance tools.brown