Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum cytochrome b gene mutations in isolates imported from Africa, and implications for atovaquone resistance.
The atovaquone resistance of malaria parasites correlates with mutations in the cytochrome b gene. We sequenced the Plasmodium falciparum cytochrome b gene of 135 African isolates. Our data showed a high mutation rate (8.9%); however, the risk of emergence spreading of atovaquone-resistant P. falciparum strains could be limited.
Berry
A
A
Department of Parasitology, Rangueil University Hospital, 31059 Toulouse 9, France. berry.a@chu-toulouse.fr
Senescau
A
A
Lelièvre
J
J
Benoit-Vical
F
F
Fabre
R
R
Marchou
B
B
Magnaval
J F
JF
D000349:Africa; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053626:Atovaquone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000962:Antimalarials; D045303:Cytochromes b; D053626:Atovaquone