Abstract
BackgroundThe characterization of parasite populations circulating in malaria endemic areas is necessary to evaluate the success of ongoing interventions and malaria control strategies. This study was designed to investigate the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from the semi-arid area in North East Ethiopia, using the highly polymorphic merozoite surface protein-2 (msp2) gene as a molecular marker.MethodsDried blood spot isolates were collected from patients with P. falciparum infection between September 2014 and January 2015 from Melka-Werer, North East Ethiopia. Parasite DNA was extracted and genotyped using allele-specific nested polymerase chain reactions for msp2.Results52 isolates were collected with msp2 identified in 41 (78.8%) isolates. Allele typing of the msp2 gene detected the 3D7/IC allelic family in 54% and FC27 allelic family in 46%. A total of 14 different msp2 genotypes were detected including 6 belonging to the 3D7/IC family and 8 to the FC27 family. Forty percent of isolates had multiple genotypes and the overall mean multiplicity of infections (MOI) was 1.2 (95%CI 0.96–1.42). The heterozygosity index was 0.50 for the msp2 locus. There was no difference in MOI between age groups. A negative correlation between parasite density and multiplicity of infection was found (p = 0.02).ConclusionPlasmodium falciparum isolates from the semi-arid area of North East Ethiopia are mainly monoclonal with low MOI and limited genetic diversity in the study population.
Highlights
The characterization of parasite populations circulating in malaria endemic areas is necessary to evaluate the success of ongoing interventions and malaria control strategies
Due to improved case management, and the scale-up of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) there has been a significant reduction in the malaria burden, with the malaria programme review in 2020 finding a 67% decline in malaria prevalence from 0.9/100,000 population to 0.3/100,000 population between 2016 and 2020 [4]
Plasmodium falciparum isolates from this region were mainly monoclonal with a low multiplicity of infections (MOI) and limited genetic diversity
Summary
The characterization of parasite populations circulating in malaria endemic areas is necessary to evaluate the success of ongoing interventions and malaria control strategies. In 2018, an estimated 228 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide, compared with 251 million cases in 2010 [1]. In Ethiopia, malaria remains a major public health problem with an estimated 52% of the population at risk of infection [2, 3]. In most malaria endemic districts, the annual malaria incidence rate is less than 5% [5, 6]. These successes have prompted the country to move towards malaria elimination strategies [7]
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