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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XI - 2019

Precision Tools for Malaria Control and Mahidol University’s

Research on the Malaria Elimination

Sasithon Pukrittayakamee , Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn ,
1,2
2
Podjanee Jittamala , Kittiyod Poovorawan 2
3
Kesinee Chotivanich , Somchai Borvornkitti 1
1,2

Abstract
Malaria elimination / eradication has regained global enthusiasm and

many malaria control programs have adopted elimination plans, including
Thailand. The overall global malaria prevalence has been declining in recent
years but the eradication is undermined by the intrinsic nature of mosquito
borne diseases. The missions for malaria elimination need specific targeting
of all related components of malaria infection e.g. host, parasite, vector, and
asymptomatic carriers. The Faculty of Tropical Medicine has carried out
medical and public health research focusing on innovation of specific tools
for malaria elimination. The primary objectives are for (1) effective treatment,
(2) containment of artemisinin resistant malaria and (3) malaria prevention
in community. These include clinical trials on three new malarial drugs,
multi-regional tracking of artesunate resistance, pharmacological aspects of
antimalarial drugs, gametocytocidal drugs and ivermectin and immunogenicity
of RTS'S vaccine in combination with anti-malarial drugs. A human challenge
model for evaluation of vivax vaccine is being implemented in collaboration

with the Jenner institute, University of Oxford. The results of our works help
to support malaria elimination programs in Thailand and in other malaria
endemic countries in the region.

Keywords: artesunate resistance; ivermectin; malaria elimination; malaria vaccine;

1 The Royal Society of Thailand, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand
2 Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
3 Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok,
Thailand

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