Plasmodium falciparum Genetic Diversity in Western Kenya Highlands

Abstract

The present study examined the genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in western Kenya by analyzing the polymorphism of 12 microsatellite loci and two antigen loci. Malaria in highland areas is unstable and epidemic whereas malaria in lowland areas is endemic. Transmission intensity and malaria prevalence are substantially lower in the highlands than in the lowlands. Despite that the highland parasite populations exhibited reduced number of alleles, lower expected heterozygosity, and infection complexity in comparison to the surrounding lowland population, genetic diversity of the highland populations remained high in comparison to parasites from other meso-endemic regions. More than 70% of infections from western Kenya highland study sites were mixed genotype infections. Small but statistically significant genetic differentiation between highland and lowland populations was detected. These findings are discussed in the context of human travel and local transmission in the study area.

Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-1 Block 2 in Sites of Contrasting Altitudes and Malaria Endemicities in the Mount Cameroon Region

“…46 Moreover, additional factors such as resistance to antimalaria drugs and migration (movement of older persons from one locality to another) have been shown to increase the diversity of parasite population through introduction of foreign polymorphisms. 10,14,45,47 This finding could explain the relatively high complexity found in Bonakanda (1,197 meters above sea level), which in our study was characterized by an EIR close to zero. Mosquito vectors at this altitude are rare because the steepness of the slope, and the absence of streams at this altitude prevent formation of breeding sites.…”

Genetic Diversity and Complexity of Plasmodium Falciparum Infections in Lagos, Nigeria

“…Although there have been previous reports on the spectrum of population structures of P. falciparum in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa [12][13][14], the parasite's genetic profile has not been comprehensively documented in Nigeria. In order to derive a reference database for malaria interventions, it is important to obtain the existing genetic structure of P. falciparum in the country.…”

“…Besides, knowledge of the genetic structure of malaria parasites is also essential to predict how important phenotypes such as novel antigenic variants or drug resistance strains originate and spread in the population [11,12].…”

Genetic diversity in merozoite surface protein-1 and 2 amongPlasmodium falciparumisolates from malarious districts of tribal dominant state of Jharkhand, India

“…Despite enormous efforts for malaria control and prevention, multiple factors, including insecticide resistance in the mosquito vectors, the lack of effective vaccines, and the emergence and rapid spread of drug-resistant strains, are contributing to the global worsening of the malaria situation (Mwingira et al, 2011). Understanding the genetic structure of malaria parasite is essential to predict how fast phenotypes of interest, such as novel antigenic variants or drug resistance, originate and spread in populations (Zhong et al, 2007). Further elucidating the mechanisms generating variation in malaria surface antigens is essential for designing immunization strategies to circumvent the emergence of novel polymorphisms (Hartl et al, 2002).…”