Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 block 2 in sites of contrasting altitudes and malaria endemicities in the Mount Cameroon region

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2012 May;86(5):764-74. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0433.

Abstract

The present study analyzed the relationship between the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and parasitologic/entomologic indices in the Mount Cameroon region by using merozoite surface protein 1 as a genetic marker. Blood samples were collected from asymptomatic children from three altitude zones (high, intermediate, and low). Parasitologic and entomologic indices were determined by microscopy and landing catch mosquito collection/circumsporozoite protein-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. A total of 142 randomly selected P. falciparum-positive blood samples were genotyped by using a nested polymerase chain reaction-based technique. K-1 polymerase chain reaction products were also sequenced. As opposed to high altitude, the highest malaria prevalence (70.65%) and entomologic inoculation rate (2.43 infective/bites/night) were recorded at a low altitude site. Seven (18.91%), 22 (36.66%), and 19 (42.22%) samples from high, intermediate, and low altitudes, respectively, contained multiclonal infections. A new K-1 polymorphism was identified. This study shows a positive non-linear association between low/intermediate altitude (high malaria transmission) and an increase in P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 block 2 polymorphisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alleles
  • Altitude
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anopheles / parasitology
  • Cameroon / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
  • Male
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / genetics*
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification
  • Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1