Spread of antimalarial molecular resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine

This short animation visualises the changing prevalence of the dhps540E mutation in sub-Saharan Africa over the years 1990-2010, based on predictions of a geospatial mathematical model. The 540E mutation of the dhps gene is known to confer resistance to the antimalarial sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP).

In brief: The model clearly captures the space-time changes in the predicted dhps540E distributions; it demonstrates the emergence of regions of high dhps540E prevalence in East Africa and the predicted spread of the dhps540E marker from these regions. The predictions of spatio-temporal trends in the parasite resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine provide an insight into the spread of resistance in a way that data from individual locations does not allow. 

For details of the data used in the model see WWARN's Molecular Surveyor or visit Drug Resistance Maps.

View a second slide which tracks the changes in national antimalarial policies between 1990-2011. 

We hope to share more detail on the the mathematical model created to develop these results in the coming months. If you have any questions, please contact us for further details.