No change in parasite genotype during single episodes of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Gabonese children.
Patients living in endemic areas can carry a mixture of Plasmodium falciparum genotypes. To investigate the genetic composition of parasite genotypes in malaria patients during the acute phase of the infection, we performed close follow-ups of 17 Gabonese pediatric patients aged 2-7 years. Capillary blood samples were taken on admission and every 4-6 h after the start of quinine therapy. Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) genotypes were used to assess the parasites' genetic characteristics in each sample. We found that each patient carried parasites with the same genotypic pattern throughout the infection.
Missinou
Michel A
MA
Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, Tübingen, Germany.
Kun
Jürgen F J
JF
Kremsner
Peter G
PG
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000962:Antimalarials; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C065974:merozoite surface protein 2, Plasmodium; D011803:Quinine