Genetic diversity and structure of African Plasmodium falciparum populations in urban and rural areas.
The genetic variability and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum are key factors in malaria control strategies. Studies have suggested no P. falciparum population structure although linkage disequilibrium was observed in some African areas. We have assessed length polymorphism at 6-22 microsatellites in four urban and rural sites (Djibouti, Dakar, Niamey, and Zouan-Hounien, n = 240 blood samples). Results have shown a P. falciparum population structure in Africa (Fst = 0.17-0.24), lower genetic diversity in Djibouti (He = 0.53) than in the other sites (He = 0.73-0.76), and 3) significant linkage disequilibrium in Djibouti. These results could be related to geographic isolation and low flow of parasites between sites. They also suggest a potential effect of rural suburbs to generate genetic diversity in towns. This could affect the dispersal of selected drug resistance and should be considered when adapting urban malaria control strategies.
Bogreau
Hervé
H
Institut de Médecine Tropicale du Service de Santé des Armées, Unité de Recherche en Biologie et Epidémiologie Parasitaire, Marseille, France. hervebogreau@yahoo.fr
Renaud
François
F
Bouchiba
Housem
H
Durand
Patrick
P
Assi
Serge-Brice
SB
Henry
Marie-Claire
MC
Garnotel
Eric
E
Pradines
Bruno
B
Fusai
Thierry
T
Wade
Boubacar
B
Adehossi
Eric
E
Parola
Philippe
P
Kamil
Mohamed Ali
MA
Puijalon
Odile
O
Rogier
Christophe
C
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium / Q000235:genetics; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population
D017931:DNA Primers