Abstract
BackgroundDespite several control interventions resulting in a considerable decrease in malaria prevalence in the Union of the Comoros, the disease remains a public health problem with high transmission in Grande Comore compared to neighbouring islands. In this country, only a few studies investigating the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum have been performed so far. For this reason, this study aims to examine the genetic diversity of P. falciparum by studying samples collected in Grande Comore in 2012 and 2013, using merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers.MethodsA total of 162 positive rapid diagnostic test (RDT) samples from Grande Comore were used to extract parasite DNA. Allelic families K1, Mad20 and RO33 of the msp1 gene as well as allelic families IC3D7 and FC37 of the msp2 gene were determined by using nested PCR. Additionally, 50 out of 151 samples were genotyped to study 24 SNPs by using high resolution melting (HRM).ResultsTwo allelic families were predominant, the K1 family of msp1 gene (55%) and the FC27 family of msp2 gene (47.4%). Among 50 samples genotyped for 24 SNPs, 42 (84%) yielded interpretable results. Out of these isolates, 36 (85%) were genetically unique and 6 (15%) grouped into two clusters. The genetic diversity of P. falciparum calculated from msp1 and msp2 genes and SNPs was 0.82 and 0.61, respectively.ConclusionIn summary, a large genetic diversity of P. falciparum was observed in Grande Comore. This may favour persistence of malaria and might be one of the reasons for the high malaria transmission compared to neighbouring islands. Further surveillance of P. falciparum isolates, mainly through environmental management and vector control, is warranted until complete elimination is attained.
Highlights
Despite several control interventions resulting in a considerable decrease in malaria prevalence in the Union of the Comoros, the disease remains a public health problem with high transmission in Grande Comore com‐ pared to neighbouring islands
The genes coding for merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) and merozoite surface protein-2 (MSP2) have been widely used as genetic markers to determine allelic polymorphisms
112,000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) have been described in the genome of P. falciparum and are considered useful molecular markers for barcoding to identify and characterize genetic diversity of P. falciparum [10,11,12]
Summary
Despite several control interventions resulting in a considerable decrease in malaria prevalence in the Union of the Comoros, the disease remains a public health problem with high transmission in Grande Comore com‐ pared to neighbouring islands. In this country, only a few studies investigating the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum have been performed so far. Only a few studies investigating the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum have been performed so far For this reason, this study aims to examine the genetic diversity of P. falciparum by studying samples collected in Grande Comore in 2012 and 2013, using merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers. 112,000 SNPs have been described in the genome of P. falciparum and are considered useful molecular markers for barcoding to identify and characterize genetic diversity of P. falciparum [10,11,12]
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