Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri in Chinese travelers: Prevalence of novel genotypes of circumsporozoite protein in the African continent

Abstract

Imported malaria due to Plasmodium ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri infections from African countries has increased recently (2011–2014) in Chinese travelers. We report novel genotypes, their prevalence and the predominant haplotypes of P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri circumsporozoite protein (CSP) from 20 African countries in Chinese travelers. These genotypes should be considered while designing a CSP-based vaccine against P. ovale malaria.