| Autor: |
Kojom Foko LP; National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India.; Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, India., Eboumbou Moukoko CE; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.; Malaria Research Unit, Centre Pasteur Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon.; Laboratory of Parasitology, Mycology and Virology, Postgraduate Training Unit for Health Sciences, Postgraduate School for Pure and Applied Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon., Jakhan J; National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India., Narang G; National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India., Hawadak J; National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India.; Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, India., Kouemo Motse FD; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon., Pande V; Department of Biotechnology, Kumaun University, Bhimtal, India., Singh V; National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India.; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, India. |
| Abstrakt: |
The bulk of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) target histidine-rich protein 2 of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria species. The WHO considers pfhrp2/3 deletions as one of the main threats to successful malaria control and/or elimination; as such, parasites that lack part or all of the pfhrp2 gene are missed by pfHRP2-targeting RDTs. Such deletions have been reported in several African and Asian countries, but little is known in Cameroon and India. Blood samples were collected from individuals living in four areas of Cameroon (Douala, Maroua, Mayo-Oulo, Pette) and India (Mewat, Raipur, Ranchi, Rourkela). Deletions in pfhrp2/3 genes were confirmed if samples 1) had ≥100 parasites/µL by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 2) PCR negative for pfhrp2/3, and 3) PCR positive for at least two single-copy genes. The overall proportion of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions in Cameroon was 13.5% and 3.1%. In India, the overall proportion was 8% for pfhrp2 and 4% for pfhrp3. The overall proportions of samples with both gene deletions (pfhrp2-/3-) were 3.1% in Cameroon and 1.3% in India. In Cameroon, pfhrp2-/3+ and pfhrp2-/3- deletions were common in Maroua (P = 0.02), in asymptomatic parasitemia (P = 0.006) and submicroscopic parasitemia (P <0.0001). In both countries, pfhrp2/3 deletions, including pfhrp2-/3- deletions, were mainly seen in monoclonal infections. This study outlines that double deletions that result in false negative RDTs are uncommon in our settings, and highlights the importance of active molecular surveillance for pfhrp2/3 deletions in Cameroon and India. |
