Pillai Lab Research Projects

Malaria is a eukaryotic pathogen (Plasmodium spp.) endemic in 85 countries, transmitted by mosquitos, with 241 million cases in 2020, and 627,000 deaths.

33.3 million pregnant women are at risk each year. Only 32% receive preventative care.

Peripheral parasitemia is low due to placental sequestration of the parasite, meaning that traditional diagnostic techniques relying on microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have limited sensitivity.

Molecular techniques such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) are able to detect sub-microscopic infections, and are much more sensitive.

Laguna Lake (900 km2, 2.5 m deep), the largest lake in the country, is used for fish farming, drinking water, irrigation, power, industrial cooling, flood control, and recreation. It is also a waste drain for the surrounding areas.

For decades, it has been inundated with pollution from agricultural, industrial and urban wastewaters containing traditional and emerging contaminants including antibiotics and pathogens.

In Southeast Asia, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole and oxytetracycline have been found in environmental waters. Penicillin G, hormones, and bisphenol A were also found in Laguna Lake.

Backyard farms are found in the lake area. Despite policies controlling veterinary antimicrobials, implementation and enforcement is weak, and surveillance is lacking. Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. isolated from retail meat have been found quinolone and multidrug resistant, respectively. Several hospitals are also located on the border the lake with potential effluents feeding the aquatic systems.

• This lake environment can be a showcase in demonstrating practical One Health interventions in the local settings. The findings and outcomes of this project can be used in replicating methods and programs on antibiotic resistance reduction in the Philippine environment and in similar areas in Southeast Asia.