title: Analysis of the genetic variability of PvMSP-3α among Plasmodium vivax in Brazilian field isolates.
abstract: Reliable molecular markers are essential for a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax, which is a neglected human malaria parasite. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of P. vivax isolates from the Brazilian Amazon using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the highly polymorphic merozoite surface protein-3alpha (PvMSP-3α) gene. To accomplish this, 60 isolates of P. vivax from different endemic areas in the Brazilian Amazon were collected. The PvMSP-3α gene was amplified by nested-PCR. Three major types of the PvMSP-3α locus were detected at different frequencies: type A (68%), B (15%) and C (17%). A single sample showed two PCR fragments, which corresponded to infection with types A and C. PCR-RFLP analysis using the HhaI restriction enzyme for 52 isolates clearly identified 11 haplotypes, eight of which were from type A, two from type B and only one from type C. Seven other isolates did not show a clear pattern using PCR-RFLP. This result might be due to multiple clone infections. This study showed a high diversity of the PvMSP-3α gene among P. vivax isolates from the Brazilian Amazon, but also indicated that the detection performance of PCR-RFLP of the PvMSP-3α gene may not be sufficient to detect multiple clone infections.
authors: Laboratório de Malária, Instituto de Pesquisa René Rachou-Fiocruz, Av. Augusto de Lima 1715, 30190-002 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors: Ricardo Souza
authors: RS
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Luisa
authors: L
authors: Ladeira
authors: Antonio Mauro
authors: AM
authors: Rezende
authors: Cor Jesus Fernandes
authors: CJ
authors: Fontes
authors: Luzia Helena
authors: LH
authors: Carvalho
authors: Cristiana Ferreira Alves de
authors: CF
authors: Brito
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D001938:Brazil; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C089133:merozoite surface protein 3, Plasmodium