Early Perturbations in Red Blood Cells in Response to Murine Malarial Parasite Infection: Proof-of-Concept 1H NMR Metabolomic Study.

BACKGROUND: The major focus of metabolomics research has been confined to the readily available biofluids-urine and blood serum. However, red blood cells (RBCs) are also readily available, and may be a source of a wealth of information on vertebrates. However, the comprehensive metabolomic characterization of RBCs is minimal although they exhibit perturbations in various physiological states. RBCs act as the host of malarial parasites during the symptomatic stage. Thus, understanding the changes in RBC metabolism during infection is crucial for a better understanding of disease progression. METHODS: The metabolome of normal RBCs obtained from Swiss mice was investigated using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Several 1 and 2-dimensional 1H NMR experiments were employed for this purpose. The information from this study was used to investigate the changes in the RBC metabolome during the early stage of infection (~1% infected RBCs) by Plasmodium bergheii ANKA. RESULTS: We identified over 40 metabolites in RBCs. Several of these metabolites were quantitated using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate changes in the choline/membrane components and other metabolites during the early stage of malaria. CONCLUSIONS: The paper reports the comprehensive characterization of the metabolome of mouse RBCs. Changes during the early stage of malarial infection suggest significant metabolic alteration, even at low parasite content (~1%). GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study should be of use in maximizing the amount of information available from metabolomic experiments on the cellular components of blood. The technique can be directly applied to real-time investigation of infectious diseases that target RBCs.

A history of juvenile mild malaria exacerbates chronic stress-evoked anxiety-like behavior, neuroinflammation, and decline of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.

Children residing in high malaria transmission regions are particularly susceptible to malaria. This early-life window is also a critical period for development and maturation of the nervous system, and inflammatory insults during this period may evoke a persistent increase in vulnerability for psychopathology. We employed a two-hit model of juvenile mild malaria and a two-week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) regime, commencing 60 days post-parasite clearance, to assess whether a history of juvenile infection predisposed the mice towards mood-related behavioral alterations and neurocognitive deficits. We showed that adult mice with a history of juvenile malaria (A-H/JMAL) exhibited heightened CUMS-associated anxiety-like behavior, with no observable change in cognitive behavior. In contrast, mice with a history of adult malaria did not exhibit such enhanced stress vulnerability. At baseline, A-H/JMAL mice showed increased activated microglia within the hippocampal dentate gyrus subfield. This was accompanied by a decrease in proliferating neuronal progenitors, with total number of immature hippocampal neurons unaltered. This neuroinflammatory and neurogenic decline was further exacerbated by CUMS. At day-14 post-CUMS, hippocampi of A-H/JMAL mice showed significantly higher microglial activation, and a concomitant decrease in progenitor proliferation and number of immature neurons. Taken together, these results suggest that a history of juvenile mild malaria leaves a neuroinflammatory mark within the hippocampal niche, and this may contribute to a heightened stress response in adulthood. Our findings lend credence to the idea that the burden of malaria in early-life results in sustained CNS changes that could contribute to increased vulnerability to adult-onset neuronal insults.

Molecular study of binding of Plasmodium ribosomal protein P2 to erythrocytes.

The ribosomal protein P2 of Plasmodium falciparum, (PfP2), performs certain unique extra-ribosomal functions. During the few hours of cell-division, PfP2 protein moves to the external surface of the infected erythrocytes (IE) as an SDS-resistant oligomer, and at that stage treatment with specific anti- PfP2 antibodies results in an arrest of the parasite cell-division. Amongst the oligomeric forms of PfP2, mainly the homo-tetramer is peripherally anchored on the external surface of the IE. To study the anchoring of PfP2 tetramer on IE-surface, we have explored the binding properties of PfP2 protein. Using NMR and erythrocyte pull-down studies, here we report that the homo-tetrameric PfP2 protein interacted specifically with erythrocytes and not leukocytes. The hydrophobic N-terminal 72 amino acid region is the major interacting domain. The binding of P2 to RBCs was neuraminidase resistant, but trypsin sensitive. The RBC binding was exclusive to the Plasmodium PfP2 protein as even the homologous protein of the closely related Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii TgP2 protein did not interact with erythrocytes. Pull down assays, immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry data showed that erythrocytic Band 3 protein is a possible interactor of Plasmodium PfP2 protein on the erythrocyte surface.

Early Perturbations in Glucose Utilization in Malaria-Infected Murine Erythrocytes, Liver and Brain Observed by Metabolomics.

Investigation of glucose utilization during an infection is central to the study of energy metabolism. The heavy utilization of glucose by the malaria parasite, and the consequences of this process, have been investigated extensively. However, host glucose utilization during early infection has not been explored to date. In a first attempt, this article investigates the changes in the host glucose utilization in Balb/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA using 13C-labeled glucose infusion followed by NMR spectroscopy. The results suggested significant alterations of liver, brain and red blood cell (RBC) glucose utilization during early infection when the parasitemia was <1%. At the pathway level, we observed a decrease in the shunt metabolite 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in the RBCs. Glycolysis and pathways associated with it, along with fatty acid unsaturation, were altered in the liver. Significant changes were observed in the central carbon metabolic pathways in the brain. These results have implications in understanding the host physiology during early infection and pave the way for detailed flux analysis of the proposed perturbed pathways.

Vivax infection alters peripheral B-cell profile and induces persistent serum IgM.

B cell-mediated humoral responses are essential for controlling malarial infection. Studies have addressed the effects of Plasmodium falciparum infection on peripheral B-cell subsets but not much is known for P. vivax infection. Furthermore, majority of the studies investigate changes during acute infection, but not after parasite clearance. In this prospective study, we analysed peripheral B-cell profiles and antibody responses during acute P. vivax infection and upon recovery (30 days post-treatment) in a low-transmission area in India. Dengue patients were included as febrile-condition controls. Both dengue and malaria patients showed a transient increase in atypical memory B cells during acute infection. However, transient B cell-activating factor (BAFF)-independent increase in the percentage of total and activated immature B cells was observed in malaria patients. Naïve B cells from malaria patients also showed increased TLR4 expression. Total IgM levels remained unchanged during acute infection but increased significantly at recovery. Serum antibody profiling showed a parasite-specific IgM response that persisted at recovery. A persistent IgM autoantibody response was also observed in malaria but not dengue patients. Our data suggest that in hypoendemic regions acute P. vivax infection skews peripheral B-cell subsets and results in a persistent parasite-specific and autoreactive IgM response.

Metabolomic changes in vertebrate host during malaria disease progression.

Metabolomics refers to top-down systems biological analysis of metabolites in biological specimens. Phenotypic proximity of metabolites makes them interesting candidates for studying biomarkers of environmental stressors such as parasitic infections. Moreover, the host-parasite interaction directly impinges upon metabolic pathways since the parasite uses the host metabolite pool as a biosynthetic resource. Malarial infection, although not recognized as a classic metabolic disorder, often leads to severe metabolic changes such as hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis. Thus, metabolomic analysis of the infection has become an invaluable tool for promoting a better understanding of the host-parasite interaction and for the development of novel therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge obtained from metabolomic studies of malarial infection in rodent models and human patients. Metabolomic analysis of experimental rodent malaria has provided significant insights into the mechanisms of disease progression including utilization of host resources by the parasite, sexual dimorphism in metabolic phenotypes, and cellular changes in host metabolism. Moreover, these studies also provide proof of concept for prediction of cerebral malaria. On the other hand, metabolite analysis of patient biofluids generates extensive data that could be of use in identifying biomarkers of infection severity and in monitoring disease progression. Through the use of metabolomic datasets one hopes to assess crucial infection-specific issues such as clinical severity, drug resistance, therapeutic targets, and biomarkers. Also discussed are nascent or newly emerging areas of metabolomics such as pre-erythrocytic stages of the infection and the host immune response. This review is organized in four broad sections-methodologies for metabolomic analysis, rodent infection models, studies of human clinical specimens, and potential of immunometabolomics. Data summarized in this review should serve as a springboard for novel hypothesis testing and lead to a better understanding of malarial infection and parasite biology.

Malaria in India: The Need for New Targets for Diagnosis and Detection of Plasmodium vivax.

Plasmodium vivax is a protozoan parasite that is one of the causative agents of human malaria. Due to several occult features of its life cycle, P. vivax threatens to be a problem for the recent efforts toward elimination of malaria globally. With an emphasis on malaria elimination goals, the authors summarize the major gaps in P. vivax diagnosis and describe how proteomics technologies have begun to contribute toward the discovery of antigens that could be used for various technology platforms and applications. The authors suggest areas where, in the future, proteomics technologies could fill in gaps in P. vivax diagnosis that have proved difficult. The discovery of new parasite antigens, host responses, and immune signatures using proteomics technologies will be a key part of the global malaria elimination efforts.

Enhanced antimalalarial activity of a prolonged release in situ gel of arteether-lumefantrine in a murine model.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for treatment of falciparum malaria. Arteether (ART), an artemisinin derivative, is effective against Plasmodium falciparum, but it is available only as painful oily intramuscular (i.m.) injections. We formulated lyotropic liquid crystalline preconcentrates of ART and Lumefantrine (LUM) ACT with and without biodegradable polymer for antimalarial therapy. Following i.m. injection, both formed intact gels in situ due to rapid transition into liquid crystalline phase (LCP) which was confirmed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarization optical microscopy (POM) and rheological changes. Ex vivo release studies revealed prolong release of ART-LUM over 72 h from polymeric lyotropic liquid crystalline phases (P-LLCPr). In vitro hemolysis assay and myotoxicity studies confirmed intramuscular safety. Treatment with ART-LUM P-LLCPr conferred complete protection with no mortality at 1/40th of therapeutic dose in modified Peter's four-day suppressive test as compared to marketed ART formulation resulted in 100% mortality within 20 days. In the clinical simulation model, P-LLCPr treatment resulted in complete cure with no recrudescence or mortality at 1/20th of therapeutic dose, while marketed formulation which resulted in 100% mortality. The high efficacy with significantly reduced dose and a single administration with single shot therapy suggest ART-LUM P-LLCPr as a promising new patient friendly alternative for antimalarial therapy.

Atovaquone oral bioavailability enhancement using electrospraying technology.

Atovaquone in combination with proguanil hydrochloride, marketed as Malarone® tablets by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is prescribed for the treatment of malaria. High dose and poor bioavailability are the main hurdles associated with atovaquone oral therapy. The present study reports development of atovaquone nanoparticles, using in house designed and fabricated electrospraying equipment, and the assessment of bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of the nanoparticles after oral administration. Solid nanoparticles of atovaquone were successfully produced by electrospraying and were characterized for particle size and flow properties. Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy studies were also carried out. Atovaquone nanoparticles along with proguanil hydrochloride and a suitable wetting agent were filled in size 2 hard gelatin capsules. The formulation was compared with Malarone® tablets (GSK) and Mepron® suspension (GSK) in terms of in vitro release profile and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. It showed 2.9-fold and 1.8-fold improved bioavailability in rats compared to Malarone® tablets and Mepron® suspension respectively. Therapeutic efficacy of the formulation was determined using modified Peter's 4-day suppressive tests and clinical simulation studies using Plasmodium berghei ANKA infected Swiss mice and compared to Malarone®. The developed formulation showed a 128-fold dose reduction in the modified Peter's 4-day suppressive tests and 32-fold dose reduction in clinical simulation studies. Given that only one capsule a day of developed formulation is required to be administered orally compared to 4 Malarone® tablets once a day and that too at a significantly reduced dose, this nanoparticle formulation will definitely reduce the side-effects of the treatment and is also likely to increase patient compliance.

Glutathione and thioredoxin systems of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum: Partners in crime?

In P. falciparum, antioxidant proteins of the glutathione and thioredoxin systems are compartmentalized. Some subcellular compartments have only a partial complement of these proteins. This lack of key anti-oxidant proteins in certain sub-cellular compartments might be compensated by functional complementation between these systems. By assessing the cross-talk between these systems, we show for the first time, that the glutathione system can reduce thioredoxins that are poor substrates for thioredoxin reductase (Thioredoxin-like protein 1 and Thioredoxin 2) and thioredoxins that lack access to thioredoxin reductase (Thioredoxin 2). Our data suggests that crosstalk between the glutathione and thioredoxin systems does exist; this could compensate for the absence of certain antioxidant proteins from key subcellular compartments.

Membrane and luminal proteins reach the apicoplast by different trafficking pathways in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

The secretory pathway in Plasmodium falciparum has evolved to transport proteins to the host cell membrane and to an endosymbiotic organelle, the apicoplast. The latter can occur via the ER or the ER-Golgi route. Here, we study these three routes using proteins Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1), Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP) and glutathione peroxidase-like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) and inhibitors of vesicular transport. As expected, the G protein-dependent vesicular fusion inhibitor AlF4- and microtubule destabilizing drug vinblastine block the trafficking of PfEMP-1, a protein secreted to the host cell membrane. However, while both PfTPxGl and ACP are targeted to the apicoplast, only ACP trafficking remains unaffected by these treatments. This implies that G protein-dependent vesicles do not play a role in classical apicoplast protein targeting. Unlike the soluble protein ACP, we show that PfTPxGl is localized to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Thus, the parasite apicoplast acquires proteins via two different pathways: first, the vesicular trafficking pathway appears to handle not only secretory proteins, but an apicoplast membrane protein, PfTPxGl; second, trafficking of apicoplast luminal proteins appear to be independent of G protein-coupled vesicles.

Force Spectroscopy of the Plasmodium falciparum Vaccine Candidate Circumsporozoite Protein Suggests a Mechanically Pliable Repeat Region.

The most effective vaccine candidate of malaria is based on the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a major surface protein implicated in the structural strength, motility, and immune evasion properties of the infective sporozoites. It is suspected that reversible conformational changes of CSP are required for infection of the mammalian host, but the detailed structure and dynamic properties of CSP remain incompletely understood, limiting our understanding of its function in the infection. Here, we report the structural and mechanical properties of the CSP studied using single-molecule force spectroscopy on several constructs, one including the central region of CSP, which is rich in NANP amino acid repeats (CSPrep), and a second consisting of a near full-length sequence without the signal and anchor hydrophobic domains (CSPΔHP). Our results show that the CSPrep is heterogeneous, with 40% of molecules requiring virtually no mechanical force to unfold (<10 piconewtons (pN)), suggesting that these molecules are mechanically compliant and perhaps act as entropic springs, whereas the remaining 60% are partially structured with low mechanical resistance (∼70 pN). CSPΔHP having multiple force peaks suggests specifically folded domains, with two major populations possibly indicating the open and collapsed forms. Our findings suggest that the overall low mechanical resistance of the repeat region, exposed on the outer surface of the sporozoites, combined with the flexible full-length conformations of CSP, may provide the sporozoites not only with immune evasion properties, but also with lubricating capacity required during its navigation through the mosquito and vertebrate host tissues. We anticipate that these findings would further assist in the design and development of future malarial vaccines.

Nanostructured lipid carriers of artemether-lumefantrine combination for intravenous therapy of cerebral malaria.

Patients with cerebral malaria (CM) are unable to take oral medication due to impaired consciousness and vomiting thus necessitating parenteral therapy. Quinine, artemether, and artesunate which are currently used for parenteral malaria therapy have their own drawbacks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now banned monotherapy and recommends artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria treatment. However, presently there is no intravenous formulation available for combination therapy of malaria. Artemether-Lumefantrine (ARM-LFN) is a WHO approved combination for oral malaria therapy. However, the low aqueous solubility of ARM and LFN hinders their intravenous delivery. The objective of this study was to formulate ARM-LFN nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for intravenous therapy of CM. ARM-LFN NLC were prepared by microemulsion template technique and characterized for size, drug content, entrapment efficiency, drug release, crystallinity, morphology, amenability to autoclaving, compatibility with infusion fluids, stability, antimalarial efficacy in mice, and toxicity in rats. The ARM-LFN NLC showed sustained drug release, amenability to autoclaving, compatibility with infusion fluids, good stability, complete parasite clearance and reversal of CM symptoms with 100% survival in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice, and safety in rats. The biocompatible ARM-LFN NLC fabricated by an industrially feasible technique offer a promising solution for intravenous therapy of CM.

Host metabolic responses to Plasmodium falciparum infections evaluated by 1H NMR metabolomics.

The human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe forms of malarial infections, which include cerebral malaria and various organ dysfunctions amongst adults in India. So far no dependable clinical descriptor is available that can distinguish cerebral malaria from other symptomatically similar diseases such as sepsis and encephalitis. This study aims at evaluating the differential metabolic features of plasma samples from P. falciparum patients with varying severities, and patients suffering from symptomatically similar diseases. 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based metabolic profiling of the plasma of the infected individuals and the control population was performed. The differences in the plasma profiles were evaluated through multivariate statistical analyses. The results suggest malaria-specific elevation of plasma lipoproteins. Such an increase was absent in control populations. In addition, cerebral malaria patients exhibited a decrease in plasma glycoproteins; such a reduction was not observed in malarial patients without cerebral symptoms. The data presented here indicates that the metabolism and/or transport of the plasma lipids is specifically perturbed by malarial infections. The differential perturbation of the plasma glycoprotein levels in cerebral malaria patients may have important implications in the diagnosis of cerebral malaria.

Artemether-lumefantrine nanostructured lipid carriers for oral malaria therapy: Enhanced efficacy at reduced dose and dosing frequency.

Artemether-lumefantrine (ARM-LFN) is a World Health Organization (WHO) approved fixed-dose combination having low solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were developed to enhance the oral efficacy of this combination using the microemulsion template technique. They were characterized for drug content, entrapment efficiency, size distribution, in vitro release, antimalarial efficacy, and toxicity. The NLC showed sustained drug release. The recommended adult therapeutic dose is 80mg ARM and 480mg LFN (4 tablets) twice a day, which amounts to 160mg ARM and 960mg LFN daily. ARM-LFN NLC given once a day at 1/5 of therapeutic dose (16mg ARM and 96mg LFN) showed complete parasite clearance and 100% survival in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. 33% of the mice treated with marketed tablets twice a day at the therapeutic dose showed late-stage recrudescence. Thus, NLC showed enhanced efficacy at 1/10 of the daily dose of ARM-LFN. The 10-fold reduced daily dose was formulated in two soft gelatin capsules thus reducing the number of units to be taken at a time by the patient. The capsules showed good stability at room temperature for a year. The NLC were found to be safe in rats. The biocompatible NLC developed using an industrially feasible technique offer a promising solution for oral malaria therapy.

Erythropoietin Levels Increase during Cerebral Malaria and Correlate with Heme, Interleukin-10 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in India.

Cerebral malaria (CM) caused by Plasmodium falciparum parasites often leads to the death of infected patients or to persisting neurological sequelae despite anti-parasitic treatments. Erythropoietin (EPO) was recently suggested as a potential adjunctive treatment for CM. However diverging results were obtained in patients from Sub-Saharan countries infected with P. falciparum. In this study, we measured EPO levels in the plasma of well-defined groups of P. falciparum-infected patients, from the state of Odisha in India, with mild malaria (MM), CM, or severe non-CM (NCM). EPO levels were then correlated with biological parameters, including parasite biomass, heme, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 plasma concentrations by Spearman's rank and multiple correlation analyses. We found a significant increase in EPO levels with malaria severity degree, and more specifically during fatal CM. In addition, EPO levels were also found correlated positively with heme, TNF-α, IL-10, IP-10 and MCP-1 during CM. We also found a significant multivariate correlation between EPO, TNF-α, IL-10, IP-10 MCP-1 and heme, suggesting an association of EPO with a network of immune factors in CM patients. The contradictory levels of circulating EPO reported in CM patients in India when compared to Africa highlights the need for the optimization of adjunctive treatments according to the targeted population.

Teratogenicity of Artemether-Clindamycin Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Rats.

Currently, artemisinin-based combination therapy is considered the best option in the treatment of malaria. However, toxicity of artemisinins limits their use in pregnancy. In the absence of sufficient toxicity data, the World Health Organization recommends that artemisinins are not to be used in the first trimester of pregnancy and can be used only in second and third trimesters, when other treatments are not available. We have recently observed that drugs loaded in nanolipid carriers are selectively taken up in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes with a concomitant reduction in the dose required to cure animals. Thus, 20% of the therapeutic dose of artemether-clindamycin (ARM-CP) loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs; mean particle size 55 ± 10 nm) resulted in complete parasite clearance and 100% survival of infected mice. Here, we investigate the teratogenicity of this formulation in rodents (dosing on alternate days from 6th day to 18th day of gestation; 12-15 animals/group). The teratogenicity of drug-free NLCs and artesunate-clindamycin (ARS-CP) solution was also evaluated. We found that the therapeutic dose of ARS-CP caused fetal resorptions (87.5% resorptions in 8 litters), suggesting its unsuitability for use in pregnancy. Artesunate-clindamycin NLCs at therapeutic doses also resulted in ∼90% fetal resorptions in 10 litters examined. However, postimplantation losses or fetal malformations were not observed at the dose of ARM-CP NLCs that was required for complete parasite clearance in preclinical trials (ie, 20% of the therapeutic dose). Our data suggest that the NLCs loaded with 20% of the therapeutic dose of ARM-CP may have potential in treating malaria during pregnancy.

Heterozygous mutants of TIRAP (S180L) polymorphism protect adult patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection against severe disease and mortality.

Toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain containing adapter protein (TIRAP) plays a crucial role in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways. Glycosylphospatidylinositol (GPI), considered a toxin molecule of Plasmodium falciparum, interacts with TLR2 and 4 to induce an immune inflammatory response. A single nucleotide polymorphism at coding region of TIRAP (S180L) has been reported to influence TLRs signaling. In the present study, we investigated the association of TIRAP (S180L) polymorphism with susceptibility/resistance to severe P. falciparum malaria in a cohort of adult patients from India. TIRAP S180L polymorphism was typed in 347 cases of severe malaria (SM), 232 uncomplicated malaria and 150 healthy controls. Plasma levels of TNF-α was quantified by ELISA. Heterozygous mutation (S/L) conferred significant protection against MOD (multi organ dysfunction), NCSM (non-cerebral severe malaria) as well as mortality. Interestingly, homozygous mutants (L/L) had 16 fold higher susceptibility to death. TIRAP mutants (S/L and L/L) were associated with significantly higher plasma TNF-α levels compared to wild type (S/S). The results of the present study demonstrate that TIRAP S180L heterozygous mutation may protect patients against severe malaria and mortality.

Early prediction of cerebral malaria by (1)H NMR based metabolomics.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening disease, caused mainly by Plasmodium falciparum in humans. In adults only 1-2% of P. falciparum-infected hosts transit to the cerebral form of the disease while most exhibit non-cerebral malaria (NCM). The perturbed metabolic pathways of CM and NCM have been reported. Early marker(s) of CM is(are) not known and by the time a patient exhibits the pathological symptoms of CM, the disease has progressed. Murine CM, like the human disease, is difficult to assign to specific animals at early stage and hence the challenge to treat CM at pre-clinical stage of the disease. This is the first report of prediction of CM in mice using a novel strategy based on (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. METHODS: Mice were infected with malarial parasites, and serum was collected from all the animals (CM/NCM) before CM symptoms were apparent. The assignment of mice as NCM/CM at an early time point is based on their symptoms at days 8-9 post-infection (pi). The serum samples were subjected to (1)H NMR-based metabolomics. (1)H NMR spectra of the serum samples, collected at various time points (pi) in multiple sets of experiments, were subjected to multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The results from orthogonal partial least square discriminant analyses (OPLS-DA) suggest that the animals with CM start to diverge out in metabolic profile and were distinct on day 4 pi, although by physical observation they were indistinguishable from the NCM. The metabolites that appeared to contribute to this distinction were serum lipids and lipoproteins, and 14-19% enhancement was observed in mice afflicted with CM. A cut-off of 14% change of total lipoproteins in serum predicts 54-71% CM in different experiments at day 4 pi. CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrates the possibility of differentiating and identifying animals with CM at an early, pre-clinical stage. The strategy, based on metabolite profile of serum, tested with different batches of animals in both the sex and across different times of the year, is found to be robust. This is the first such study of pre-clinical prognosis of CM.