Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Strains in Children under Five Years of Age in Southeastern Tanzania
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Date
2010
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Abstract
Strain diversity may play a role in delaying development of protective immunity in endemic areas. We
evaluated genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum infected children before being treated with Sulphadoxine
Pyrimethamine (SP) and Coartemâ„¢ in Southeastern Tanzania. Allelic diversity of P. falciparum strains were determined
in order to further assist in correct estimation of recrudescent and new infections.
P. falciparum isolated from 300 children aged 1-59 months was used in the study, where nested PCR followed by
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) of highly polymorphic Merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2) was
employed to understand the genetic diversity of the parasites population. Frequency of msp2 gene alleles was calculated
and further associated with multiplicity of infection of children under five years of age.
A total of 71 and 83 different msp2 alleles were found in Rufiji and Ulanga districts respectively. Children infected with
either FC27 or 3D7 allelic type in Rufiji were 42% single, 55.3% double and 2.7% triple, while in Ulanga, 36.7% single,
62% double and 1.3% triple infections. Mean numbers of multiplicity of infections (MOI) in Rufiji and Ulanga were 1.6
and 1.3, respectively. These findings show a high genetic diversity of P. falciparum strains in study areas and low MOI
could reflect production of susceptible parasites that immune response can accommodate or can be cleared by the drugs.
Furthermore, 3D7 allelic type of msp2 gene was more prevalent than FC27 in Ulanga district, indicating association
between msp2 allelic type and disease severity, hence predict possible vaccine candidate in the future.
Description
Keywords
P. falciparum, Genetic diversity, Msp2 gene, Tanzania
Citation
Sumari, D., Hosea, K.M., Mugasa, J.P. and Abdulla, S., 2010. Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Strains in Children under Five Years of Age in Southeastern Tanzania. Open Tropical Medicine Journal, 3, pp.10-14.