High prevalence and extended deletions in Plasmodium falciparum hrp2/3 genomic loci in Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241807
• Publication Date: 2020-11-05T18:44:36Z
• Authors: Lemu Golassa; Alebachew Messele; Alfred Amambua-Ngwa; Gote Swedberg
• Keywords: genomic DNA

Deletions in Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein 2( pfhrp 2) gene threaten the usefulness of most widely used HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) that cross react with its structural homologue, Pf HRP3. Parasites deleted 2/3 genes remain undetected and untreated due to ‘false-negative’ RDT results. As Ethiopia recently launched elimination by 2030 certain selected areas, availability RDTs scale their use have rapidly increased recent years. Thus, it is important explore presence prevalence deletion target genes, 2 3. From a total 189 febrile patients visited Adama Malaria Diagnostic centre, sixty-four microscopically-and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed P . clinical isolates were determine frequency deletions. Established PCR assays applied DNA extracted from blood spotted onto filter papers amplify across exons flanking regions. However, analysis deletions 2, 3 genomic regions was successful for 50 samples. The pfhrp2 fixed population all 50(100%) presenting variant. This extended downstream towards Pf3D7 0831900 (MAL7PI.230) 11/50 (22%) cases. In contrast, only 2/50 (4%) samples had 0831700 (MALPI.228) gene, upstream 2. Similarly, (100%), while 40% an extension region codes 13272400 (MAL13PI.485).The also 081372100 (MAL13PI.475) 49/50 (95%) isolates, exhibiting complete absence locus. Although showed exon regions, amplification intron five Two different repeat motifs observed tested. Pfhrp are this will likely reduce effectiveness mRDTs. It be sensitivity HRP 2/3-based these populations conduct countrywide survey extent effect on routine RDT-based diagnosis.