Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42520053›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2026

Plasmodium falciparum non-synonymous Kelch13 mutations mediating artemisinin resistance in East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis: 2014-2024.

Anthony Kapesa, Vito Baraka, Richard Mwaiswelo, Maria Zinga, Karol J Marwa, Eliningaya J Kweka, Erasmus Kamugisha

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Anthony KapesaDepartment of Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Vito BarakaNational Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Centre, Tanga, Tanzania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9694-9293
Richard MwaisweloDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Kairuki University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Maria ZingaDepartment of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0154-8858
Karol J MarwaDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5237-2904
Eliningaya J KwekaDepartment of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8891-758X
Erasmus KamugishaDepartment of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResistance to antimalarial drugs has posed a significant challenge to global efforts to control and eliminate malaria. Partial artemisinin resistance has been observed in East Africa, a region that has been a historical hotspot for antimalarial drug resistance across the continent. Consequently, this review assesses the extent of non-synonymous mutations mediating artemisinin resistance, the varieties of these mutations, and their effects on treatment outcomes in East Africa.

methodsStudies reporting artemisinin resistance (samples collected between 2014 and 2024), particularly the Pf-Kelch13 mutation among malaria patients in East Africa, were searched through the Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), LILACS, and EMBASE online databases. The protocol for the review was registered at PROSPERO (Reference number: CRD42024602752). Two independent reviewers extracted data. Potential publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot. Pooled proportion estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics.

resultsTwenty-four (24) studies were deemed eligible for data extraction. The heterogeneity among the studies included in the meta-analysis was high (I2 > 95% and p < 0.01). The overall estimated pooled proportions of non-synonymous Pf-Kelch13 mutations, using the random effects model, were 5.0% (95% CI 3.0%-7.0%), with the pooled proportion estimates being higher in Rwanda and Uganda (10.0%, 95% CI 4.0%-16.0%) and (10.0%, 95% CI 6.0%-14.0%), respectively. Subgroup analysis (per mutation type) revealed that R561H and A675V were the most prevalent non-synonymous mutations (9.0%, 95% CI 5.0%-15.0% and 7.0%, 95% CI 4.0%-10.0%, respectively). Patients harbouring parasites with Pf-Kelch13 non-synonymous mutations were significantly more likely to experience treatment failure than those harbouring wild P. falciparum parasites (Log OR: -2.06, 95% CI, -2.71-1.41).

conclusionThe prevalence of Pf-Kelch13 non-synonymous mutations known to be associated with artemisinin resistance was significant. The most common mutations identified were R561H and A675V. Continued molecular surveillance and coordinated efforts are essential to contain the partial artemisinin resistance in the East African region and prevent its spread across the continent.

Indexed as

AntimalarialsArtemisininsDrug ResistanceMalaria, FalciparumMutationPlasmodium falciparumProtozoan ProteinsAfrica, EasternHumansAntimalarialsartemisininArtemisininsProtozoan Proteins

Identifiers

PMID42520053
PMCPMC13411923

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.