Low genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 and 2 and multiplicity of infections in western Ethiopia following effective malaria interventions

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Geletta Tadele, Fatou K. Jaiteh, Mary Oboh, Eniyou Oriero, Sisay Dugassa, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa, Lemu Golassa
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2022
• Subjects: MOI; Genetic diversity; P. falciparum; Malaria transmission; Western Ethiopia; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04394-1; https://doaj.org/article/92d8a2751f9f468bb6f0b481dc0aec7b

Abstract Background Genetic diversity of malaria parasites can inform the intensity of transmission and poses a major threat to malaria control and elimination interventions. Characterization of the genetic diversity would provide essential information about the ongoing control efforts. This study aimed to explore allelic polymorphism of merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1) and merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2) to determine the genetic diversity and multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infections circulating in high and low transmission sites in western Ethiopia. Methods Parasite genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 225 dried blood spots collected from confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria-infected patients in western Ethiopia. Of these, 72.4% (163/225) and 27.6% (62/225) of the samples were collected in high and low transmission areas, respectively. Polymorphic msp1 and msp2 genes were used to explore the genetic diversity and multiplicity of falciparum malaria infections. Genotyping of msp1 was successful in 86.5% (141/163) and 88.7% (55/62) samples collected from high and low transmission areas, respectively. Genotyping of msp2 was carried out among 85.3% (139/163) and 96.8% (60/62) of the samples collected in high and low transmission sites, respectively. Plasmodium falciparum msp1 and msp2 genes were amplified by nested PCR and the PCR products were analysed by QIAxcel ScreenGel Software. A P-value of less or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. Results High prevalence of falciparum malaria was identified in children less than 15 years as compared with those ≥ 15 years old (AOR = 2.438, P = 0.005). The three allelic families of msp1 (K1, MAD20, and RO33) and the two allelic families of msp2 (FC27 and 3D7), were observed in samples collected in high and low transmission areas. However, MAD 20 and FC 27 alleles were the predominant allelic families in both settings. Plasmodium falciparum isolates circulating in western Ethiopia had low genetic diversity and mean MOI. No difference in mean ...