Quadruple mutations in dihydrofolate reductase of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Car Nicobar Island, India.
Quadruple mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (PFDHFR) enzyme give rise to the highest level of pyrimethamine resistance leading to treatment failures. We describe here the presence of these quadruple mutations in a majority of P. falciparum isolates from Car Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar) Island, India. Isolates from the mainland, however, continue to show a prevalence of double PFDHFR mutations and some with triple but none with quadruple mutations. In conclusion, the antifolate drug pressure is very high in the island, which should be a cause of concern for the malaria control program in the country.
Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029, India.
Anwar
A
Ahmed
Manoj K
MK
Das
Vas
V
Dev
Muheet A
MA
Saifi
Wajihullah
Yagya D
YD
Sharma
D000818:Animals; D004350:Drug Residues; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*
D013762:Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase