Author:
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Bassat Orellana, Quique; Velarde, Mar; Mueller, Ivo; Lin, Jessica; Leslie, Toby; Wongsrichanalai, Chansuda; Baird, J. Kevin
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Abstract:
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There is inadequate understanding of the biology, pathology,
transmission, and control of Plasmodium vivax, the
geographically most widespread cause of human malaria. During
the last decades, study of this species was neglected, in part
due to the erroneous belief that it is intrinsically benign. In
addition, many technical challenges in culturing the parasite
also hampered understanding its fundamental biology and
molecular and cellular responses to chemotherapeutics. Research
on vivax malaria needs to be substantially expanded over the
next decade to accelerate its elimination and eradication. This
article summarizes key knowledge gaps identified by researchers,
national malaria control programs, and other stakeholders
assembled by the World Health Organization to develop strategies
for controlling and eliminating vivax malaria. The priorities
presented in this article emerged in these technical
discussions, and were adopted by expert consensus of the
authors. All involved understood the priority placed upon
pragmatism in this research agenda, that is, focus upon tools
delivering better prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and
surveillance of P. vivax. |