[Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and its implications in the epidemiology of malaria].
Genetic diversity provides Plasmodium falciparum with the potential capacity of avoiding the immune response, and possibly supporting the selection of drug or vaccine resistant parasites. These genetic characters play key roles in the selection of appropriate malaria control measures. Diverse clones of Plasmodium falciparum, often denoted as strains, has been documented, and the degree of genetic diversity supported by several kinds of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays. Many studies in different endemic regions with differences in their level of disease transmission have clarified the interactions between the parasite populations and malaria epidemiology. This paper describes recombination events of the malaria parasite life cycle that originate such genetic diversity in P. falciparum, reviewing different studies on this aspect and its implications in the immunity and development of control measures in regions with different degrees of endemicity.
Jiménez
Judy Natalia
JN
Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Medellín, Colombia.
Muskus
Carlos Enrique
CE
Vélez
Iván Darío
ID
D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology