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Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMC), is worried
that change in the genes responsible for the production of the proteins
may distort accuracy of the tests.
“Whenever there is a change in the gene, there will be impaired or
low production of the proteins and this distorts diagnosis. Parasites
lacking the protein, HRP2 cannot be detected by the Rapid Diagnostic
Test and this may lead one to report false-negative results,” says Kaaya,
a PhD fellow with THRiVE (Training Health workers into Vocational
Excellence).
False-negative MRDT results lead to underdiagnoses of malaria,
and if patients who are infected but test negative do not receive
antimalarial treatment, severe disease and even death may result.
Premised on this, Kaaya, through his PhD research, is examining
prevalence of the lack of the pfhrp2 gene in malaria patients in
Tanzania. Currently, he is conducting community-based surveys in
Hadeni located in Tanga region and Lower Moshi found in Kilimanjaro.
Preliminary findings show that there is evidence of the malaria
parasites lacking the HRP2, a phenomenon called gene deletion. This
poses a serious threat to malaria control especially in areas of the
country experiencing a high malaria burden.
“This concern warrants wide scale surveillance by government
to monitor gene deletions and their impact in relation to MRDTs
performance,” Kaaya advises.
Through his PhD, he is also going to understand what the drivers
for the deletions are.
Malaria parasites with HRP2 deletion were first reported from
the Amazon region (Peru and neighboring countries) in 2010 and, more recently, at high prevalence in Eritrea. Consequently, different research groups have recommended these countries to cease use of the pfhrp2 based MRDTS.
He is also a co-author of a novel protocol detailing the methodology of detecting gene deletions published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Journal in May 2020. He is the only scientist from Tanzania featured in the protocol. On publishing scientific papers from his PhD study, Kaaya says he is yet to because his research ought to undergo several rounds of validation to ascertain that deletions are
true. Nonetheless, he says that the THRiVE PhD fellowship has afforded him immense opportunities.
“It is helping to build me into becoming an independent researcher able to set timelines for myself and plan my field activities. I have also been exposed to various professionals in my field including my supervisors from LSHTM. Together, we are thinking of putting up research programs and writing research grants together,” he says.
In fact, 10 years from today, Kaaya sees himself as an independent researcher holding several grants regarding malaria and arboviruses.
He appeals to academic institutions to establish communications offices in order to support scientists to liaise with and communicate their research with various audiences. To the scientists, he advises that it is important to streamline community and public engagement programs with their
research from the beginning in order to expand the impact of their research projects on different communities.
