This One Health study sequences β-tubulin isotype 1 in archived hookworm-positive samples from the Philippines and Indonesia and uses docking and molecular dynamics to assess how detected variants may affect benzimidazole binding.
Key findings
- Fifteen samples were N. americanus and three A. ceylanicum. No canonical changes occurred at codons 134, 167, 198 or 200, but two Philippine A. ceylanicum carried V236I. Albendazole MM-GBSA changed from −33.42 kcal/mol in wild type to −13.34 kcal/mol in the variant, with fewer hydrogen bonds and little predicted dimer change.
Why this matters globally
If functionally validated, V236I could expand molecular surveillance panels for hookworm drug resistance and provide early warning before deworming effectiveness declines.
Thai researcher contribution
Prasert Saichua and Sutas Suttiprapa of Khon Kaen University contributed Thai parasitology and bioinformatics expertise to samples from the Philippines and Indonesia.
Limitations to consider
There were only 18 samples and three A. ceylanicum, with the variant in two. No egg-reduction, worm susceptibility or protein experiment was performed. Energy predictions depend on structures and force fields and do not prove resistance. Samples were not from Thailand.