The candidate presented a study under the theme: “Genetic determinants of Plasmodium falciparum and P. malariae drug resistance circulation in humans and the Anopheles vectors driving malaria in Cameroon”.
The 31st of January 2024 sparked a new path for the recently awarded Dr. Nkemngo Francis (PhD) at the Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon. Nkemngo Francis study is placed under the theme: “Genetic determinants of Plasmodium falciparum and P. malariae drug resistance circulation in humans and the Anopheles vectors driving malaria in Cameroon”.
The study presented to the jury investigated the emergence of novel drug resistance-associated variants in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Plasmodium malariae (Pm) parasites circulating in both Anopheles vectors and humans across three bioecological landscapes in Cameroon. Adult mosquito and human blood samples were collected, the insecticide resistance background of the mosquitoes was characterized and parasite speciation was conducted on the blood samples. Furthermore, key drug-resistance genes were amplified, sequenced, and bioinformatically examined. Data generated revealed a high Pf / Pm infection rate in pyrethroid-resistant local mosquito populations carrying both common and novel emerging drug resistance-associated alleles. Similarly, school-aged children were the predominantly age group exhibiting elevated Pf / Pm mix-infection carriage with multiple drug resistance variant backbones. Overall, the study revealed the emergence and transmission of heterogeneous Pf / Pm drug-resistance alleles in the human population by insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes. At the public health policy level, the study provides data on the continuous molecular surveillance of Pf and Pm resistance to Artemisinin-Based Combination (ACTs) and the deployment of second-generation bednets containing piperonyl-butoxide (PBO) to contain pyrethoid resistance.
In fact, Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted between humans through the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes during a blood meal. Notably, infection with Pf accounts for about 90% of the burden and therefore remains an important threat to public health in sub-Saharan Africa and Cameroon.
Dr. Nkemngo Francis, an early career scientist, was selected among a cohort of applicants in 2019 to pursue a 4-year Wellcome-Trust Funded PhD research on malaria at CRID with registration at the University of Buea, alongside a supervision team composed of Prof. Charles Wondji, Prof. Samuel Wanji, Prof. Flobert Njiokou and Dr. Jerome Fru-Cho. “I expressed my deepest gratitude to CRID team and the University of Buea for the capacity-building opportunity, mentorship, and training support throughout these four memorable years” he said with utmost joy. Congratulations Dr. Nkemngo and wishing you all success ahead for the next level!
