Genome Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum:A Preliminary Observation-Sierra Leone,2022-2023

What is already known about this topic?Sierra Leone,with a gross domestic product(GDP)per capita below$300 and significant poverty,ranks among the world’s least developed countries(LDCs).Despite its modest population of 8.6 million,the nation reports approximately 2.6 million malaria cases annually.Previously,there has been no reporting on the malaria genome data from this country.What is added by this report?In this study,we present the first reported wholegenome sequence analysis of 19 high parasite-density Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Sierra Leone,providing insights into the genomic epidemiology of this high-prevalence area.We found a high degree of relatedness among infections and substantial genetic diversity,consistent with the gradual reduction in overall case numbers.Moreover,our whole-genome analysis revealed that,beyond drug-resistance genes,gene families related to blood cell invasion,immune evasion,and others are undergoing directional selection.This suggests that the population in Sierra Leone has developed a relatively strong acquired immunity.What are the implications for public health practice?The genomic data not only facilitate the creation of single nucleotide polymorphism barcodes for case tracking but also enable the analysis of evolving transmission dynamics and selection pressures.Additionally,the samples from Sierra Leone exhibited higher selective pressures on resistance genes compared to those from Asia,a trend not commonly observed in other African samples.This suggests that less stringent healthcare systems and inconsistent treatment strategies can subject parasites to increased drug pressure,thereby accelerating the development of resistant strains.

Advancing knowledge of One Health in China:lessons for One Health from China's dengue control and prevention programs

Background The emergence of dengue fever has prompted significant public health responses,highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of One Health in addressing vector-borne diseases.China's experience in dengue control and prevention programs offers valuable insights into the successful integration of multidisciplinary strategies.Aims The review aims to:(1)systematically analyze lessons from China's dengue control and prevention programs,focusing on the integration of these efforts with the One Health approach;(2)underscore the reasons of optimizing the dengue control and prevention program;(3)highlight the alignment of China's dengue control strategies with the One Health framework;(4)contribute to global efforts in combating dengue,providing scientific evidence and strategic recommendations for other regions facing similar challenges.Results Through a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews,this study found China's approach to dengue control and prevention implemented through a hierarchical system led by the government,with collaborative efforts across multiple departments.This multi-sectoral collaboration mechanism enables the technical interventions well executed by health and disease control institutions,optimizing the integration of multiple cost-effeteness approaches,such as case management,early detection and outbreak response,reducing local transmission,and minimizing severe cases and fatalities.It was found that community participation and public health education have played a vital role in raising awareness,promoting personal protective measures,and enhancing the overall effectiveness of control efforts.The implementation of these integrated interventions has resulted in reduced dengue cases and improved capacity of outbreak response.China's dengue control strategies under the One Health framework,with focus on interdisciplinary collaboration,incorporated environmental and ecological interventions,which reduced mosquito breeding sites and improved sanitation.The findings of the review underscore the need for continuous improvement in early warning systems,scientific research,and the adoption of the One Health approach to address emerging challenges posed by climate change and the cross-border spread of infectious diseases.Conclusion China's dengue control and prevention programs provide a compelling case study for the effective application of the One Health approach.By systematically analyzing the integration of multidisciplinary strategies,this review reveals valuable lessons on optimizing public health responses to vector-borne diseases.The alignment of these strategies with One Health principles not only enhances the effectiveness of dengue control efforts in China but also offers a framework that can be adapted by other regions facing similar challenges.Ultimately,the insights gained from this analysis contribute to the global fight against dengue,emphasizing the need for collaborative and holistic approaches in public health initiatives.