Molecular approaches to determine the multiplicity of Plasmodium infections

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Daibin Zhong, Cristian Koepfli, Liwang Cui, Guiyun Yan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018
• Subjects: Malaria parasite; Multiplicity of infection; Molecular marker; Next generation sequencing; Amplicon ultra-deep sequencing; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-018-2322-5; https://doaj.org/article/c028edf13efa41b68f446eba987f1b77

Abstract Multiplicity of infection (MOI), also termed complexity of infection (COI), is defined as the number of genetically distinct parasite strains co-infecting a single host, which is an important indicator of malaria epidemiology. PCR-based genotyping often underestimates MOI. Next generation sequencing technologies provide much more accurate and genome-wide characterization of polyclonal infections. However, complete haplotype characterization of multiclonal infections remains a challenge due to PCR artifacts and sequencing errors, and requires efficient computational tools. In this review, the advantages and limitations of current molecular approaches to determine multiplicity of malaria parasite infection are discussed.