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Tracy Zembles, PharmD, is the lead antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist at Children’s Wisconsin. Zembles’ clinical interests include implementation of handshake stewardship, evaluation of extended infusion beta lactams in children, and penicillin allergy delabeling.

In the latest article from SIDP, here is a look at therapy options addressing this emerging clinical challenge. 

Expanded Treatment Options for Multi-Drug Resistant Infections in Children

Along with a 1 reported case in Massachusetts, the

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed a person infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has died. The public health agency said the person was hospitalized due to severe central nervous system disease. The last reported human EEEV infection in New Hampshire was in 2014, when DHHS identified 3 human infections, including 2 fatalities. In the same statement, DHHS mentions there has been 1 confirmed case in Vermont this summer.

On August 16, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) released a statement discussing the confirmation of the first human case of EEE in the state this year. The confirmed case was discovered in an 80 year old man who was exposed to the vector borne disease in Worcester County. As a result, the risk level in the local communities of Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster has been raised to critical, and in Dudley, Northbridge, and Uxbridge the risk is increased to high.

Additionally, the neighboring communities of Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Southbridge, and Upton are now considered at moderate risk according to MDPH.

“This is the first time we have seen a person infected with EEE in Massachusetts since 2020,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, said in a statement. “EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern. We want to remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas of the state where we are seeing EEE activity.

Though very rare, EEE is serious and a potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with 6 deaths, and 5 human cases with 1 death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

EEE has a fatality rate of 33% to 70%, with most deaths occurring 2–10 days after the onset of symptoms.

In addition to a high mortality rate, long-term physical and mental complications, including permanent neurological deficits have been identified in many people who survive EEE.

Plymouth is approximately 40 miles south of Boston along the coast, and Worcester County is in the middle of the state, so the 2 areas are not in close proximity, but due to the elevated risk locally, the town of Plymouth decided to take action in response to outdoor parks. As of last Friday, all town public parks and fields are close daily from dusk until dawn.

“As Mass DPH has now elevated Plymouth’s EEE risk status to high, it is important to take extra precautions when outdoors and follow state and local health guidelines to avoid unnecessary risk to exposure to EEE. The health and safety of our community, residents, and visitors remain our priority,” Plymouth’s Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Michelle Bratti, said in a statement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most people who are infected with the virus do not develop symptoms; however, for those that do, the date from the bite to the onset of the illness is 4 to 10 days. EEE can also result in fever or neurologic disease. The type of illness will depend on the age of the person and other factors. Those who are infected can develop meningitis.

There are no FDA-approved treatments for EEE and for patients who develop severe cases, they can be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment.

Over the weekend, MDPH detailed plans of spraying for mosquitos including aerially in areas of Plymouth County, and truck-mounted spraying in parts of Worcester County. As of Saturday, 10 communities in Massachusetts were raised to high or critical risk for EEE virus.

“The risk from EEE is high in parts of Plymouth County and critical in parts of Worcester County,” State Epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown, DVM, said in a statement. “In addition to recommending that people use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and clothing to reduce exposed skin, we also recommend that evening outdoor events be rescheduled to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE are most active during the dusk to dawn hours.”

There are preventative strategies to avoid EEE, and the MDPH has listed such measures 

For those who live in Massachusetts and want more information on EEE, it can be found 

 or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

1.NH DHHS Identifies Person Infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in New Hampshire.The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. August 27, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024.
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/news-and-media/nh-dhhs-identifies-person-infected-eastern-equine-encephalitis-virus-new-hampshire
2. State health officials announce season’s first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts. MDPH. August 16, 2024. Accessed August 27, 2024.
https://www.mass.gov/news/state-health-officials-announce-seasons-first-human-case-of-eastern-equine-encephalitis-in-massachusetts
3.Plymouth to Close all Public Parks and Fields from Dusk to Dawn. Town of Plymouth. August 23, 2024. Accessed August 27, 2024. PDF.
4. Eastern Equine Encephalitis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. CDC. May 15, 2024. Accessed August 27, 2024.
https://www.cdc.gov/eastern-equine-encephalitis/symptoms-diagnosis-treatment/index.html
5. State officials announce plans to spray for mosquitoes in sections of Worcester and Plymouth counties due to EEE. MDPH. August 24, 2024. Accessed August 27, 2024. 
https://www.mass.gov/news/state-officials-announce-plans-to-spray-for-mosquitoes-in-sections-of-worcester-and-plymouth-counties-due-to-eee



The town of Plymouth decided to prohibit people from using the parks from dusk to dawn due to concerns over eastern equine encephalitis after a man contracted the rare disease in the state.

Concerns Over Mosquito-Borne Illness Causes Massachusetts Town to Create Curfew for Parks, Spraying in Counties

The FDA has requested that Novavax complete an additional clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2601, which it is seeking full approval for after it was granted an emergency use authorization in 2022.

 This news comes just days after the company received communication from the FDA asking for a postmarketing commitment (PMC) to generate additional clinical data.

The company noted in a release on April 23 that it “believe[s] that our Biologics License Application (BLA) is approvable based on conversations with the US Food and Drug Administration, as of our Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of April 1 and through today,” adding that it sought to move toward approval as soon as possible.

The company was previously awaiting feedback from the agency after the PMC. According to a report from the 

, this update comes after newly appointed members of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intervened in the approval process.

 The agency's request for new data does allow for Novavax to negotiate for a smaller and possibly less expensive study; however, doubts had been sown about the potential approval after the agency missed the April 1 PDUFA deadline. HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr attributed the delay to the vaccine’s composition in an interview with 

spoke with Novavax’s Chief Medical Officer, Robert Walker, MD

, in February 2025, discussing the company’s progress in obtaining full licensure for its COVID-19 vaccine, at which time Walker echoed the sentiment about the company’s hopes for approval, saying, “we’re very much looking forward to obtaining full licensure of our vaccine, achieving parity with the other COVID-19 vaccines available.” He added that the company was “working very closely with the FDA to make sure they get all their questions answered, and that they understand all the data we've provided in the application.”

Walker also issued a reminder about the importance of staying vigilant against COVID, which he said “is still very much with us,” adding that “it’s really important to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. If you're in a high-risk group, make sure to get your revaccination. And above all, stay healthy.”

Next-Generation Antivirals Outperform Paxlovid in Preclinical Coronavirus Testing

Interim results from a phase 2/3 study of NVX-CoV2601 (NCT05975060) demonstrated significant improvements in immune response, suggesting its potential as an effective booster for adults in the US. The study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024, showing that, based on a recombinant spike protein from the Omicron XBB15 variant, the updated vaccine induced higher neutralizing antibody responses compared to the original NVX-CoV2373 formulation.

That original NVX-CoV2373 vaccine was based on the first strain of COVID-19, while the updated NVX-CoV2601 was designed to target the Omicron XBB15 variant that was circulating during the study. “Both vaccines should be classified the same—they are both COVID-19 vaccines. One is based on the original, more ‘prototype’ strain, while the other reflects the newer circulating strain at the time of the study,” 

The study involved 332 adults aged 18 years or older who had previously received 3 or more doses of mRNA vaccines, with participants receiving a single dose of NVX-CoV2601 via intramuscular injection. The primary end points were to demonstrate superiority in neutralizing antibody levels and non-inferiority in seroresponse rates compared to NVX-CoV2373. The study’s interim findings suggest that NVX-CoV2601 could serve as an effective booster, particularly for individuals who have received previous mRNA vaccinations.

Data showed a production of a geometric mean neutralizing antibody (nAb) titer of 905.9 at day 28, compared with 156.6 for the original NVX-CoV2373 formulation. The geometric mean titer ratio (GMTR) between the 2 groups was 5.8, indicating that the new vaccine generated significantly higher levels of neutralizing antibodies. As well, 64% of participants in the NVX-CoV2601 group showed a seroresponse, compared with just 7% for NVX-CoV2373.

Safety data from the study also supported the vaccine’s potential as a booster, with the most common adverse events (AEs; occurring within 7 days) included local reactions at the injection site (52% tenderness, 30% pain), fatigue (29%), and muscle pain (29%). Serious AEs were rare, with no deaths or severe events related to the vaccine. Unsolicited adverse events potentially linked to the vaccine occurred in only 2% of participants.

Walker noted that this manageable safety profile aligns with expectations for vaccines targeting new strains. “It’s not surprising that this combination continues to perform well, optimizing the immune response and, therefore, providing better protection over time.”

REFERENCES
1. US FDA asks Novavax to complete new clinical trial for delayed COVID-19 shot, WSJ reports. News release. Reuters. April 25, 2025. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/fda-asks-novavax-complete-new-clinical-trial-delayed-covid-19-shot-wsj-reports-2025-04-25/
2. Latest update on U.S. FDA BLA for Novavax's COVID-19 Vaccine. News release. Novavax. April 23, 2025. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://ir.novavax.com/press-releases/Latest-update-on-U-S-FDA-BLA-for-Novavaxs-COVID-19-Vaccine
3. Watch: RFK Jr.'s first network TV interview as HHS secretary. CBS News. YouTube. April 9, 2025. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2U0csKvqMY
4. Alves K, Kotloff K, McClelland RS, et al. Immunogenicity and safety of a monovalent omicron XBB.1.5 SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine as a heterologous booster dose in US adults: interim analysis of a single-arm phase 2/3 study. 

. 2025;25(1):1-9. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00670-4

After delays in the review of the COVID-19 vaccine—which missed its April 1 review deadline—the agency has requested new data.

FDA Requests Additional Trial of Novavax NVX-CoV2601 Vaccine Prior to Approval

Two experimental antiviral compounds developed by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and Gladstone Institutes have shown superior performance to Paxlovid in preclinical testing against both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS. The findings, published in 

, suggest the new compounds may offer broad protection against current and future coronaviruses.

The compounds, AVI4516 and AVI4773, target the main protease of the virus, a key enzyme that enables viral replication. In mice, AVI4773 led to a more than one million-fold reduction in viral titers after just three doses and achieved drug concentrations in brain tissue more than one thousand times the effective dose within eight hours of oral administration. Both drugs were well distributed across tissues and appeared safe in animal models.

The molecules showed strong pan-coronavirus activity and minimal off-target effects. AVI4516 did not significantly inhibit human proteases or major cytochrome P450 enzymes. It also worked synergistically with molnupiravir, an existing antiviral that targets RNA polymerase. Related analogs were effective against virus strains resistant to nirmatrelvir, the main component of Paxlovid.

 press release, Charles Craik, PhD, UCSF professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and co-corresponding author of the paper, said, “In three years, we’ve moved as fast as a pharmaceutical company would have, from start to finish, developing drug candidates against a totally new pathogen. These compounds could inhibit coronaviruses in general, giving us a head start against the next pandemic. We need to get them across the finish line and into clinical trials.”

Researchers emphasized the urgency of advancing these compounds to clinical trials, especially given the termination of a key federal grant that supported their development. The team believes these candidates could serve as shelf-stable countermeasures for future coronavirus outbreaks and offer a much-needed backup as new variants emerge.

“COVID was our wake-up call to apply all our resources and know-how toward new therapies and future pandemic preparedness,” said Nevan Krogan, UCSF professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology, co-author of the paper, and a leading expert on the biology of infectious disease. “The AViDD funding, which is now in peril, was poised to help us produce potent and necessary antivirals in record time.”

In other recent news, a phase 2 trial published in 

) showed no statistically significant improvement in physical health outcomes for patients with Long COVID. Although it remains effective in reducing mortality among immunocompromised patients, its limited utility in addressing persistent symptoms and its frequent adverse effects underscore the need for more potent and targeted antiviral options.

In contrast, AVI4516 and AVI4773 are novel main protease inhibitors that show enhanced potency, pan-coronavirus activity, and strong pharmacokinetics, including distribution to critical tissues like the brain. These compounds also remain effective against nirmatrelvir-resistant viral strains and exhibit synergy with molnupiravir, suggesting a next-generation therapeutic approach that could address some of the limitations seen with Paxlovid.

1. Detomasi T, et al. Structure-based discovery of highly bioavailable, covalent, broad-spectrum coronavirus MPro inhibitors with potent in vivo efficacy. 

.11,eadt7836(2025). doi:10.1126/sciadv.adt7836

2. Press Release. Could this molecule be “checkmate” for coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2? UCSF’s Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Center develops powerful drug candidates that could head off future coronavirus pandemics. 

 April 23, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2025. 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1081239

3. Sawano M, Bhattacharjee B, Caraballo C, et al. Nirmatrelvir–ritonavir versus placebo–ritonavir in individuals with long COVID in the USA (PAX LC): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2, decentralised trial. 

. Published April 3, 2025. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00073-8

The University of California San Francisco and Gladstone Institutes develop compounds with a 1,000,000-fold reduction in viral titers and 1000 times effective concentration in the brain.

This is part of an ongoing series looking at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American public health.

investigators found antimicrobial resistance in hospitals declined from 2012 to 2019, but rose again during the acute COVID-19 pandemic years (2020-2021).

This observational study provided updated rate estimates for hospital-onset and community-onset antimicrobial-resistant infections caused by 6 pathogens in the US between 2012-2022. The CDC and the World Health Organization have identified these pathogens as high priority to be aware of and the need to address with the development of new treatments.

This study focused on the following pathogens:

Extended spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. (excluding Klebsiella aerogenes) (ESCR-EK) suggestive of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE)


“The percentage resistant for MRSA, VRE, CRE, CRAsp, and MDR 

 was stable or decreased from 2012 to 2022,” the investigators wrote. “Among hospital-onset 

 spp, the percentage of ESCR-EK cases in nonsterile body sites increased from 12.2% (95% CI, 10.7%-13.6%) in 2012 to 19.7% (95% CI, 17.7%-21.7%) in 2022; and increased from 17.5% (95% CI, 14.4%-20.7%) to 24.5% (95% CI, 21.5%-27.4%) among normally sterile body sites.”

Lead author of the study, Hannah Wolford, who works in the CDC’s Epidemiology, Research, and Innovations Branch, spoke with 

on the study and the findings behind the increased resistance during the acute pandemic stage.



 How did changes in health care use during the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to the rise in hospital-onset resistant case rates

Antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years, peaking in 2021. Changes to health care use during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as decreases in overall admissions, surges in high-risk patients with COVID-19, and higher proportions of very sick patients who did not have COVID-19 may have contributed to increased rates of antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections.



CDC: Hospitals Experiencing Inconsistent Declines in Resistant Infections

Can you elaborate on which patient populations were most affected?
Wolford: 

In the majority of our study time period, rates for hospital-onset cases were highest among patients ages 55 to 74. This age group experienced increased rates of healthcare-associated antimicrobial-resistant infections during the pandemic and had the highest rates for every pathogen in 2020 and 2021. Males had higher antimicrobial-resistant infection rates throughout the study period for hospital-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species, and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, both sexes experienced increased rates during the pandemic

What does the increase in average patient days per hospitalization from 2020 to 2022 indicate about patient health trends during and after the pandemic?
Wolford:

 We found an increase in average patient days per hospitalization in 2020 to 2022 compared with prior years. This suggests an increase in patients with high severity of illness that continued when COVID-19 hospitalizations declined and may reflect larger trends in an aging US population with increased chronic illness or a move to manage less acute patients in outpatient care.

In what ways did the pandemic impact infection control practices, and how might this have influenced antimicrobial resistance rates?
Wolford: 

The pandemic challenged the implementation of infection prevention and control practices. Activities such as contact precautions for patients with some resistant pathogens and monitoring excess antimicrobial use decreased during the pandemic, which may have led to increased antimicrobial resistance.

Based on your findings, what types of prevention interventions are most critical to ensure resilience in infection control during future health care system strains?
Wolford: 

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent public health threat. We determined that there were approximately 570,000 antimicrobial-resistant infections among hospitalized patients in 2022 in the United States. We also identified increases in antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections during the pandemic, although we could not directly assess the underlying reasons for these increases. There are prevention-focused public health actions that we know work to combat antimicrobial resistance, including effective implementation of existing infection prevention and control strategies, accurate laboratory detection, rapid response, and appropriate antibiotic and antifungal use. Investing in the capacity to maintain robust implementation of infection control during times of healthcare strain and also developing innovative prevention strategies will help ensure our ability to combat antimicrobial resistance in the future. Continuing to track national data on healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens can identify areas that need improvement or increased focus for infection prevention and control.


Reference
1. Wolford H, McCarthy NL, Baggs J, et al. Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections in Hospitalized Patients. 

 2025;8(3):e2462059. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.62059

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study looked at the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on hospital-onset infections. Study lead author Hannah Wolford offers insights on it, including what patient populations were most affected, and the significance of infection prevention strategies. 



The Impact of the Pandemic on Antimicrobial Resistance 

As of yesterday, April 22, 2025, the Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 624 measles cases in West Texas, an increase of 27 since April 18. Fewer than 10 cases are currently infectious, based on rash onset timing. 64 people have been hospitalized since the outbreak began in late January. Two unvaccinated school-aged children with no underlying conditions have died. Ongoing transmission has been identified in 10 counties: Cochran, Dallam, Dawson, Gaines, Garza, Lynn, Lamar, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum. Health officials continue to recommend MMR vaccination to prevent further spread.

As of April 18, 2025, the United States reports a total of 800 confirmed measles cases across 25 jurisdictions, marking a sharp rise from the 285 cases seen throughout all of 2024. The CDC confirms that 94 percent of this year’s cases are linked to 10 outbreaks, an increase of three from the previous week. The current pace suggests the 2025 total may soon surpass the 1,274 cases reported in 2019, the highest since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.

Texas remains the most affected state, reporting 597 cases, including 371 in Gaines County alone. Another 24 counties across Texas also report cases. The Texas Department of State Health Services identifies a new cluster of 15 cases in Upshur County, with investigations underway to determine whether these are connected to the West Texas outbreak.

 That outbreak has also extended regionally, with linked cases in New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Kansas currently reports 37 cases across eight counties.

Michigan has declared its first measles outbreak since 2019, involving three cases in Montcalm County. Health officials say this outbreak was initially linked to a large ongoing outbreak in Ontario, Canada. In Montana, the Department of Public Health and Human Services confirms the state’s first measles cases since 1990. The five confirmed cases involve children and adults in Gallatin County who were exposed while traveling out of state. All individuals were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. The patients are isolating at home, and officials have identified two potential public exposure sites in Belgrade and Bozeman.

So far, 96 percent of measles infections in 2025 involve unvaccinated individuals or whose vaccination status is unknown. Eleven percent of patients have been hospitalized, including 19 percent of children under five, who make up 31 percent of total cases. There have been two confirmed deaths and one under investigation, all involving unvaccinated individuals. The outbreak has also been linked to cases in Ontario, Canada, and Chihuahua, Mexico. Public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage, especially in areas with low immunization rates, to help prevent further spread.

Pennsylvania Added to the List of States With Measles Outbreaks

The last coverage was from April 16, 2025, when Pennsylvania was added to the list of states experiencing measles outbreaks, with five confirmed cases reported in Erie County since late March. None of the affected individuals in this county required hospitalization. Nationally, the CDC had reported 712 confirmed measles cases across 25 jurisdictions as of April 10, with 93 percent of those cases associated with outbreaks. A total of seven outbreaks had been confirmed at that point in the year. Eleven percent of all cases had required hospitalization, including 20 percent of children under five years old, seven percent of individuals aged five to nineteen, and six percent of adults over twenty. Texas had continued to report the most cases, with 561 as of April 15. Other states with notable case counts included New Mexico with 63 cases, Kansas with 32, Oklahoma with 12, and Ohio with 10. In Texas, there had been a recent uptick in cases, with 20 new infections reported over just a few days. Officials noted that fewer than 25 individuals were considered infectious at the time, based on their rash onset dates. Two deaths had been confirmed among unvaccinated school-aged children.

1. Measles Outbreak – April 22, 2025. Texas Department of State Health Services press release. Updated April 22, 2025. Accessed April 23, 2025. 

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025

2. Measles Cases and Outbreaks. CDC. April 18, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2025. 

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

3. Measles data. Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Updated April 18, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2025.https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles-Data

4. Michigan currently experiencing a measles outbreak in Montcalm County. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. April 17, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2025. 

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2025/04/17/measles-outbreak

5. Parkinson J. Pennsylvania added to the list of states with measles outbreaks. CDC. April 16, 2025. Accessed April 21, 2025. 

https://www.contagionlive.com/view/pennsylvania-added-to-the-list-of-states-with-measles-outbreaks

Ninety-four percent of cases were tied to 10 outbreaks, Texas leading with 624 cases, while Michigan and Montana reported the first outbreaks since 2019 and 1990, respectively.

CDC Reports 800 Confirmed Measles Cases Across the US, 624 Being in Texas

Working to Prevent Malaria Through Genomic Research, Education 

3 minutes 21 seconds

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute was founded in 2001, and has a goal of creating a malaria-free world. The institute conducts discovery research around mosquito parasites at the Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, and field research at the Macha Research Trust in Zambia, as well as sites in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and other places where malaria is endemic.

“We have several world class insectaries where we grow different species of mosquito. We have world class parasite culture facilities where we grow the parasite, and we have state of the art molecular and cellular biology instrumentation, microscopes—and all sorts of key equipment in order for us to study the biology of the parasite,” said Jane Carlton, PhD, director of the John Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, and Bloomberg distinguished professor. “There are about 20 faculty or so working on all aspects of malaria in the institute, from understanding basic biology through to developing vaccines, drugs, and new diagnostics.”

Carlton has her own lab, and a big part of her team’s research has been looking at trying to genetically modify mosquitos to prevent people from contracting malaria. Specifically, they have been researching different malaria parasite species, utilizing the latest in genomics.

“There's been a real revolution in genomic sequencing, and now it's much easier, faster, and cheaper to decode and to sequence the DNA of parasites,” Carlton said. “So genome sequencing enables us to identify, for the first time, every single gene in the genome of the parasite, and then to predict every protein, and to reconstruct the metabolic pathways of the parasites. This will enable us to find chinks in the armor of the parasites that could be developed into new drugs or new vaccines."

In additional to the institute’s work, Hopkins plays an educational role by hosting its World Malaria Day Symposium on Friday. The symposium will include speakers discussing the work around genetically modified mosquitos. The sessions run from 9am to 5pm and includes researchers from both the US and internationally. They will also have poster sessions during the day.

“This year, the theme is building better mosquitos, and we're bringing in a whole host of speakers to talk about how we can engineer mosquitos to either be sterile so they can't reproduce—populations of mosquitoes die out or are refractory to malaria parasite infection,” Carlton said. “And our range of speakers include genetic engineers, entomologists, and social scientists.”

The annual event has been ongoing for several years and it is free to everyone who attends. Although the event is now closed for registration, to learn more about the program, interested parties can go 

“We roll out the symposium each year to really bring attention to the continued need for support of malaria research and control, and how it can lead us towards a malaria-free future,” Carlton said.

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute is hosting its World Malaria Day Symposium on Friday. Jane M. Carlton, PhD, offers some insights on the institute and its signature event. 

Tracy Zembles, PharmD

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