Malaria Parasites Develop Resistance to Azithromycin, but Struggle to Transmit via Mosquitoes

Core Concepts

Malaria parasites can develop resistance to the antibiotic azithromycin, but this resistance comes at a significant fitness cost during the mosquito and liver stages of the parasite's life cycle, limiting the ability of resistant parasites to transmit to new hosts.

Abstract

The content describes experiments investigating the impact of azithromycin resistance mutations in malaria parasites on their ability to transmit via mosquitoes.
Key highlights:

Azithromycin resistance in both rodent (Plasmodium berghei) and human (P. falciparum) malaria parasites is conferred by mutations in the apicoplast-encoded ribosomal protein Rpl4.
In P. berghei, the azithromycin resistance mutations severely impaired the parasites' ability to develop in mosquitoes, with reduced oocyst numbers and sporozoite production. The resistant sporozoites also lacked a functional apicoplast.
The P. berghei azithromycin resistant parasites were unable to establish a blood stage infection in naive mice, even with direct injection of large numbers of sporozoites, due to defects in liver stage development.
In contrast, the P. falciparum azithromycin resistant parasite line did not exhibit defects in mosquito stage development, but did show impaired liver stage development in humanized mice.
The findings indicate that azithromycin resistance comes at a significant fitness cost for malaria parasites during the mosquito and liver stages of their life cycle, which could limit the spread of azithromycin resistance.

Stats

Azithromycin ED95 for P. berghei is 60 mg/kg.
Azithromycin ED99 for P. berghei is 70 mg/kg.
The P. berghei azithromycin resistant lines PbAZMR_G95D_1 and PbAZMR_G95D_2 were selected at 70 mg/kg, while PbAZMR_S89L was selected at 60 mg/kg.
The P. falciparum azithromycin resistant IC50 is ~100-fold greater than the parental line.

Quotes

"Azithromycin resistance will therefore be less likely to spread geographically, making it an attractive option as a perennial partner compound to protect appropriate frontline antimalarials."
"Azithromycin is safe for infants and pregnant women and has a very long half-life in the body, all of which make it attractive as a partner compound."

Key Insights Distilled From

Malaria parasite resistance to azithromycin is not readily transmitted by mosquitoes

by Buchanan,H. ... at www.biorxiv.org 11-11-2023

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.11.10.566666v2

Deeper Inquiries

How might the differences in azithromycin resistance phenotypes between P. berghei and P. falciparum be exploited to develop better treatment strategies

The differences in azithromycin resistance phenotypes between P. berghei and P. falciparum present an opportunity to develop more effective treatment strategies. For P. berghei, where azithromycin resistance mutations result in severe fitness deficits during mosquito stages and liver development, alternative treatment options could be explored. This could involve combining azithromycin with other drugs that target different pathways in the parasite to overcome the resistance issue. Additionally, the understanding of the specific mutations in Rpl4 that confer resistance in each species can guide the development of targeted therapies that exploit these differences. For P. falciparum, where the resistance mutations do not impact mosquito stage fitness, strategies could focus on using azithromycin in combination with other drugs that target the blood stages of the parasite. By leveraging the differences in resistance phenotypes between the two species, tailored treatment regimens can be designed to effectively combat malaria.

What other antimalarial drugs or drug combinations could be explored that might also have limited transmission of resistant parasites

Exploring other antimalarial drugs or drug combinations that exhibit limited transmission of resistant parasites could provide valuable alternatives for malaria treatment. One potential option is the use of atovaquone, which has been shown to be refractory to the spread of resistance due to fitness deficits in resistant parasites during the mosquito phase. Combining atovaquone with azithromycin could create a potent treatment regimen that not only targets different stages of the parasite life cycle but also minimizes the risk of multidrug resistance. Additionally, exploring novel drug targets or repurposing existing drugs with limited transmission of resistant parasites could offer new avenues for developing effective antimalarial therapies. Drugs that target essential metabolic pathways in the parasite, such as the apicoplast or mitochondrial functions, could be promising candidates for further investigation.

What are the broader implications of these findings for understanding how drug resistance mutations impact the overall fitness and transmission potential of malaria parasites

The findings on how drug resistance mutations impact the fitness and transmission potential of malaria parasites have significant implications for malaria control and treatment strategies. Understanding the fitness costs associated with drug resistance mutations can inform the development of more sustainable treatment regimens that minimize the spread of resistance. By identifying mutations that confer resistance but also reduce parasite fitness during critical stages of the life cycle, such as mosquito and liver stages, researchers can design combination therapies that exploit these vulnerabilities. This approach can help prolong the effectiveness of frontline antimalarials and reduce the emergence of multidrug resistance. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of considering the entire life cycle of the parasite when evaluating drug efficacy and resistance, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that target different stages of the malaria parasite to achieve better treatment outcomes.