Towards integrated malaria molecular surveillance in Africa

Abstract

Integrated malaria molecular surveillance (iMMS) systems are essential for Africa's expanding malaria genomics initiatives. Here we highlight a few initiatives and demonstrate how iMMS can support evidence-based decisions and policies for National Malaria Programs and other malaria control stakeholders. We conclude with key considerations for advancing these malaria genomics initiatives towards sustainable iMMS.

Keywords: genomic surveillance; genomics; malaria; molecular surveillance; regional hubs.

Figure 1.. Overview of Integrated Malaria Molecular Surveillance (IMMS).

An illustration of how the integration of molecular and omics studies of each biological component of malaria transmission (i.e., Plasmodium parasites, mosquito and human hosts) can provide comprehensive evidence to inform malaria surveillance, control programs, and policies.

Figure 2.. Considerations for establishing sustainable Integrated Malaria Molecular Surveillance (iMMS) in Africa.

(A) An illustration of how regional hubs can be leveraged to maximize malaria molecular and genomics efforts on the continent. The regional hubs would ideally include individual laboratories or initiatives in various parts of the continent that have a regional catchment to facilitate cross-country collaboration and resource sharing. This coordinated efforts across different countries will ensure maximum iMMS coverage and impact on malaria control. For illustrative purposes, the map indicates the interacting network (arrows) of hypothetical locations of regional hubs in Africa (black location markers), each coordinating activities across the countries that it serves (colored bubbles with correspondingly colored geo pins). (B) Key considerations for establishing sustainable iMMS in Africa. NMPs stands for national Malaria Programs; ACEGID—African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases; and Africa PGI—Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative, flagship initiative of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Panels A & B of this figure were created using BioRender with some elements obtained from the Noun Project and the Integration and Application Network .