Prevalence and distribution of malaria, Pfcrt and Pfmdr 1 genes in patients attending FUT Health Centre, Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

This research evaluated the distribution of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) and Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistant (Pfmdr1) mutant genes among patients attending FUTA Health Centre. The research was carried out between December 2015 and February 2016. One hundred and forty (140) patients coming for malaria test were examined out of which 74 (52.86%) were males and 66 (47.14%) were females. Malaria test was done by thick blood film microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. PCR technique was used to detect Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes of P. falciparum. Information about sex, age, status and date of collection of each patient were collected. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used for analysis. Out of 140 blood samples that were tested, 100 (71%) were positive for malaria infection. The percentage distribution of malaria infection among male and female patients was 54 (72.97%) and 46 (69.70%) respectively with no significant difference (P=0.668). The prevalence of Pfcrt (95%) and Pfmdr1 (45%) showed significant difference (P=0.001). The research revealed high prevalence of Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 mutant genes of P. falciparum among patients which may be as a result of treatment of malaria with Chloroquine and other medication which the parasite have formed resistance against. It is therefore important to administer other malaria drugs apart from the drugs the parasite have formed resistance against.