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How do you go about building all the skills you need at the start of your research career? Cherry Lim from our MORU unit in Bangkok, Thailand, was lucky to find a good mentor who guided her through this journey, but her own ceaseless curiosity and excitement about research were also important.
The impact of mass screening and treatment interventions on malaria incidence and prevalence: a retrospective analysis of a malaria elimination programme in eastern Myanmar, and systematic review and meta-analysis
Posted 20/05/2025. Targeted interventions are often necessary to eliminate malaria, but some are more effective than others. Jade Rae and colleagues investigated the impact of village-level mass screening and treatment interventions, highlighting key factors that influence the effectiveness of targeted malaria interventions, including baseline endemicity, population demographics, and the timing and uptake of the intervention.
Placental and cord blood DNA methylation changes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus in a marginalized population: the untold role of saturated fats
Posted 09/05/2025. First report on DNA-methylation changes associated with saturated fat consumption in the context of gestational diabetes in a disadvantaged population. Rose McGready and colleagues suggest that population-specific nutritional interventions to reduce saturated fats, while promoting healthier oil (sunflower or soyabean) intake in pregnancy could mitigate negative consequences of DNA hypomethylation, improving transgenerational health impacts.
Submicroscopic malaria in pregnancy and associated adverse pregnancy events: A case-cohort study of 4,352 women on the Thailand–Myanmar border
Posted 11/03/2025. Malaria is known to be dangerous for pregnant women and their developing babies. But how much malaria is too much malaria? Using an ultra-sensitive PCR method that detects one parasite per drop of blood, Mary Ellen Gilder and SMRU colleagues found that even infections with very few parasites are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Identification of Southeast Asian Anopheles mosquito species with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using a cross-correlation approach
Posted 17/01/2025. Victor Chaumeau and colleagues developed a reference MALDI-TOF mass spectra database for the identification of Anopheles mosquitoes from the Thailand-Myanmar border allowing rapid, affordable and accurate identification of medically important vector species, an important prerequisite to assess disease transmission and evaluate vector control. This is the first free open-source data analysis pipeline allowing anyone to replicate the analysis and develop reference database in-house.
AmpC β-lactamases detected in Southeast Asian Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Posted 20/12/2024. AmpC β-lactamases are a neglected cause of third generation cephalosporin resistance in Southeast Asia. This collaboration between COMRU, LOMWRU and SMRU showed that AmpC β-lactamases are an important cause of infection, though infections may be going undetected due to a lack of testing resulting in sub-optimal treatment for patients. By Tamalee Roberts
Community engagement to develop a dialogue-drama on adolescent pregnancy in a marginalised migrant population on the Thailand-Myanmar border: an ethnographic approach to participatory action research
Posted 20/11/2024. A participatory-action approach involving community members and adolescents resulted in a dialogue-drama (Karen and Burmese versions) on adolescent pregnancy, contraception, and choice in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. The dialogue-drama augmented discussion of traditionally taboo issues and this ethnographic method is potentially useful for similar global health settings. By Rose McGready
Non-invasive detection of bilirubin concentrations during the first week of life in a low-resource setting along the Thailand–Myanmar border
Posted 22/10/2024. Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is often diagnosed late in low-resources settings because of lack of point-of-care tools. In this study, Germana Bancone and SMRU researchers have evaluated the performance of a transcutaneous bilirubinometer for screening of neonates born along the Thai-Myanmar border. The study was supported by a Wellcome Trust iTPA grant.
New WHO classification of genetic variants causing G6PD deficiency
Posted 04/09/2024. Over 50 years after its first publication, this revised classification of G6PD genetic variants is the result of the 2022 WHO Global Malaria Programme experts’ consultation led by Professor Lucio Luzzatto. The new classification reconciles biochemical and clinical aspects of the different G6PD mutations and provides a reliable reference for scientists and clinicians. By Germana Bancone.
Comparison of lumefantrine, mefloquine, and piperaquine concentrations between capillary plasma and venous plasma samples in pregnant women with uncomplicated falciparum and vivax malaria
Posted 01/05/2024. Makoto Saito and SMRU colleagues compared capillary and venous plasma concentrations of mefloquine, lumefantrine, and piperaquine in pregnant women with malaria. While there was a strong correlation, direct interchangeability was limited. Predictability within a ±10% precision range varied by drug. Caution is needed when converting capillary samples at the individual level.
Ethical and cultural implications for conducting verbal autopsies in South and Southeast Asia: a qualitative study
Posted 20/12/2023. The verbal autopsy method can be sensitive to the individuals interviewed, their families and communities. Prior to study implementation, Nan Shwe Nwe Htun, Tom Peto and SEACTN colleagues sought to explore local beliefs and practices about death to inform appropriate bioethical practices and found that verbal autopsy is acceptable across a wide range of cultural settings in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos PDR, and Cambodia.
A systematic review of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar
Posted 21/11/2023. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of preventable and treatable diseases common in Myanmar, primarily affecting marginalized rural communities. Myo Swe and colleagues provide an overview of reported NTDs in Myanmar over 100 years, indicating gaps in knowledge about certain diseases to inform future research directions related to NTDs in Myanmar.
A Clinically Oriented antimicrobial Resistance surveillance Network (ACORN): pilot implementation in three countries in Southeast Asia, 2019-2020
Posted 01/11/2023. ACORN (A Clinically Oriented Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance network) is a WHO GLASS compatible case-based surveillance method for antimicrobial resistance that produces more meaningful and locally actionable data. Rogier van Doorn and colleagues publish the results of a pilot in three countries, showing proof of principle and valuable lessons to be learned going forward. More at: acornamr.net
Improving neonatal health in rural Africa: how much do we know about neonatal jaundice?
Posted 26/09/2023. In this pilot study, Caterina Fanello and colleagues evaluated the prevalence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and related neonatal and maternal risk factors in a semi-rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They also explored knowledge and practices of expectant mothers regarding this condition. Ways forward to improve diagnosis and treatment in these settings are discussed.
Severe falciparum malaria in pregnancy in Southeast Asia: a multi-centre retrospective cohort study
Posted 30/08/2023. This study by Makoto Saito and colleagues analysing 213 severe malaria cases in pregnancy at SMRU, MORU and OUCRU showed vital organ dysfunction led to high maternal and fetal mortality. In contrast, severe anaemia or hyperparasitaemia alone did not. This marked difference may explain the variation of mortality reported in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria and anaemia in antenatal care should be promoted.
Fever and health-seeking behaviour among migrants living along the Thai-Myanmar border: a mixed-methods study
Posted 18/08/2023. Fever is a common reason to seek healthcare in Southeast Asia, and the decline of malaria has further complicated fever perceptions and actions taken. This mixed-methods study from 2019, on Thai-Myanmar border revealed diverse range of fever conceptions, symptoms and believed causes. Napat Khirikoekkong, Supa-at Asarath and colleagues mapped out context-specific healthcare seeking strategies and discussed its influencing key determinants.
Defining the role of host biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of the severity of childhood pneumonia: a prospective cohort study
Posted 16/08/2023. Tools for safe community-based childhood pneumonia management are needed. Studies often do not include outpatients or consider whether laboratory tests add value to clinical assessment. Arjun Chandna and colleagues found that Angiopoietin-2 improved performance of a validated risk score (LqSOFA) to predict oxygen requirement amongst refugee children with pneumonia on the Thailand-Myanmar border.
Born too soon in a resource-limited setting: A 10-year mixed methods review of a special care baby unit for refugees and migrants on the Myanmar-Thailand border
Posted 09/05/2023. Implementation of evidence-based newborn care interventions in low-resource settings works! Very and moderate preterm neonatal mortality reduced by 68% and 53% between 2008-2017 in refugees and migrants. Find out how Ahmar Hashmi, Verena Carrara, Rose McGready and SMRU colleagues achieved this.
Culturally responsive research ethics: How the socio-ethical norms of Arr-nar/Kreng-jai inform research participation at the Thai-Myanmar border
Posted 23/05/2023. Napat Khirikoekkong, Supa-at Asarath, Phaik Yeong Cheah, and colleagues analyse how the socio-cultural norm of Arr-nar or Kreng-jai influences the research experiences of individuals taking part in research on the Thai-Myanmar border. Arr-nar (in Burmese/Karen) or Kreng-jai (in Thai) encompasses multiple meanings including consideration for others and graciousness.
Technical evaluation and usability of a quantitative G6PD POC test in cord blood: a mixed-methods study in a low-resource setting
Posted 20/12/2022. G6PD deficiency is a major risk factor for severe neonatal jaundice among neonates born at the Thailand-Myanmar border. Early identification of G6PD deficiency can dramatically improve clinical care. In this study Germana Bancone and colleagues showed that a new point-of-care quantitative G6PD test used by trained midwives can reliably identify neonates with abnormal G6PD at birth.
Optimal duration of follow-up antimalarial efficacy in pregnancy on the Thailand–Myanmar border
Posted 02/07/2019. Highly efficacious treatment can limit the cumulative deleterious impact of malaria during pregnancy on the mother and fetus. Correct assessment of treatment efficacy with an adequate length of follow up is required. Makoto Saito and colleagues at the Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU) on the Thailand-Myanmar border suggest that pregnant women need to be followed up longer than the currently recommended duration of follow-up to assess antimalarial drug efficacy.