Authors:

Daniela Alej

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About Paper:

Malaria is a severe infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted to humans through infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Numerous control strategies, including the use of antimalarial drugs, have helped reduce malaria in many regions. However, the rise of drug resistance has become a major challenge for control efforts. Notably, while most malaria cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa, resistance often appears first in places where malaria is less common, such as Southeast Asia and South America, and then spreads to regions with more cases. The reasons behind this pattern remain poorly understood. To investigate this, we use an agent-based model to predict how resistance develops and spreads in different settings. Our goal is to understand how parasite strains and the mixing of their genetic material, genetic recombination, influence resistance under different transmission levels. Current hypotheses suggest that in areas with higher transmission, frequent exposure helps people build strong immunity. As a result, infections are less likely to cause symptoms and often go untreated. With less drug usage, drug-resistant pathogens spread slower. In contrast, in regions with fewer cases, weaker immunity leads to more symptomatic infections and greater drug use, creating conditions that favor resistance. The way parasite strains recombine to exchange genetic material inside mosquitoes adds complexity. This process can break apart resistance genes, slowing their spread, but it can also merge them with other parasite strains, potentially accelerating resistance. Our findings may help explain observed global patterns of resistance emergence and guide surveillance strategies in malaria-endemic regions. Keywords: Malaria; Drug Resistance; Genetic Recombination; Agent-Based Modeling

Source:

Purdue University / 2025

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Co-authors:

Daniela Alej