Plasmodium falciparum msp1 and msp2 genetic diversity in parasites isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria subjects in the South of Benin
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria patients are considered as the reservoirs of human Plasmodium. In the present
study, we have evaluated the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (Pfmsp1) and protein-2 (Pfmsp2) genetic
diversity among the symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria infection from health facilities in Cotonou, Benin Republic. A
cross-sectional study recruited 158 individuals, including 77 from the asymptomatic and 81 from the symptomatic groups.
The parasites were genotyped using Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction. Samples identified as Plasmodium falciparum were
genotyped for their genetic diversity. No significant difference was observed in the overall multiplicity of infection (MOI)
between the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. In the symptomatic group, the overall frequency of K1, MAD20, and
RO33 allelic family was more predominant (98.5%) followed by 3D7 (87.3%) and FC27 (83.1%). However, in asymptomatic
group, the K1 alleles were the most prevalent (100%) followed by FC27 (89.9%), 3D7 (76.8%), MAD20 (60.5%), and RO33
(35.5%). The frequency of multiple allelic types (K1+MAD20+RO33) at the Pfmsp1 loci in the symptomatic infections
was significantly higher when compared to that of the asymptomatic ones (97% vs. 34%, p<0.05), whereas no difference
was observed in the frequency of multiple allelic types (3D7 and FC27) at the Pfmsp2 loci between the two groups. The
high presence of msp1 multiple infections in the symptomatic group compared to asymptomatic ones suggests an association between the genetic diversity and the onset of malaria symptoms. These data can provide valuable information in the
development of a vaccine that could reduce the symptomatic disease.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Malaria, Asymptomatic, Symptomatic, Genetic diversity, South of Benin