Rise of Artemisinin Resistance in Africa – Key Findings

Why in News

• A new study published in the journal eLife has reported early warning signs of artemisinin resistance emerging in Africa, resembling the pattern observed in Southeast Asia 10–15 years ago.
• This is a major public-health concern as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the last effective frontline treatment against Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

About Artemisinin

• Source: Derived from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua)
• Chemical nature: Sesquiterpene lactone
• Role: Potent antimalarial, especially against multi-drug resistant falciparum malaria
• Current use: Administered as ACTs (combined with partner drugs to reduce resistance)

About the Study

• Dataset:
  • 1.1 lakh (~110,000) malaria parasite samples
  • From 73 countries
  • Spanning 43 years
• Focus: Genetic mutations in the kelch13 (K13) gene of Plasmodium falciparum

Kelch13 (K13) Gene

• A key molecular marker for artemisinin resistance
• Mutations in this gene:
  • Allow parasites to survive longer during treatment
  • Increase likelihood of transmission via mosquitoes
  • Enable resistant strains to spread and dominate

Key Findings

• High concentration of K13 resistance mutations in Southeast Asia
• Early-stage emergence of similar mutations in Africa
• Pattern mirrors the historical spread of resistance:
  • Chloroquine resistance (originated in SE Asia → spread to Africa)
  • Now potentially repeating with artemisinin

Source: TH