# Malaria Evolution in South Asia

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $1,345,565

## Abstract

Malaria is a devastating human disease, especially amongst the most vulnerable sub-populations
of the world. It is important to understand how malaria parasites will respond to global elimination
efforts. The emergence of drug resistance, dissemination of these traits to broader localities, and
evolution of parasites into forms that may lead to greater pathology are of particular interest. The
dominant human malaria parasite, P. falciparum, has been studied in Africa and SE Asia, but
much remains to be learned about its patterns in South Asia. The other major human malaria
parasite, P. vivax, continues to cause morbidity and mortality. However, phenotypic dissection of
P. vivax traits and formal demonstration of variations between P. vivax isolates is restricted by
our limited ability to culture them. In this renewal application, we will study: (1) the extent to which
drug use and drug resistance shape the evolution of malaria parasites in India, (2) the extent to
which vector distribution and characteristics effect transmission of drug resistance traits, and (3)
how parasites’ response to immunity triggers novel interactions with host cells and leads to severe
disease. India has both P. falciparum and P. vivax, has ecological conditions that are different
and relevant, and may act as a bridge between SE Asia and eastern coast of E Africa. The MESA
team partners will study malaria parasites in human hosts, mosquito vectors, and controlled
laboratory studies after adaptation. Over the last five years, the team has successfully developed
new clinical study sites in urban areas and community survey capabilities in remote, isolated parts
of India. Our ability to work closely and collaboratively with government and non-governmental
entities in India and provide professional opportunities for young, local scientists greatly facilitate
our work. Key findings on evolution of drug resistance in malaria parasites, their interactions with
mosquitoes, and ability to cause severe disease will be further pursed in this competitive renewal.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9921272
- **Project number:** 5U19AI089688-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** PRADIPSINH K. RATHOD
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,345,565
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2010-07-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9921272

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9921272, Malaria Evolution in South Asia (5U19AI089688-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9921272. Licensed CC0.

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