title: Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 block 2 in sites of contrasting altitudes and malaria endemicities in the Mount Cameroon region.
abstract: The present study analyzed the relationship between the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and parasitologic/entomologic indices in the Mount Cameroon region by using merozoite surface protein 1 as a genetic marker. Blood samples were collected from asymptomatic children from three altitude zones (high, intermediate, and low). Parasitologic and entomologic indices were determined by microscopy and landing catch mosquito collection/circumsporozoite protein-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. A total of 142 randomly selected P. falciparum-positive blood samples were genotyped by using a nested polymerase chain reaction-based technique. K-1 polymerase chain reaction products were also sequenced. As opposed to high altitude, the highest malaria prevalence (70.65%) and entomologic inoculation rate (2.43 infective/bites/night) were recorded at a low altitude site. Seven (18.91%), 22 (36.66%), and 19 (42.22%) samples from high, intermediate, and low altitudes, respectively, contained multiclonal infections. A new K-1 polymorphism was identified. This study shows a positive non-linear association between low/intermediate altitude (high malaria transmission) and an increase in P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 block 2 polymorphisms.
authors.affiliation: Research Foundation for Tropical Diseases and the Environment, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon. swanji@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanji
authors.forename: Arnaud J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kengne-Ouafo
authors.forename: Ebanga E Joan
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Eyong
authors.forename: Helen K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kimbi
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tendongfor
authors.forename: Judith L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ndamukong-Nyanga
authors.forename: Hugues C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Nana-Djeunga
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourguinat
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Sofeu-Feugaing
authors.forename: Claude L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Charvet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D000531:Altitude; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000469:parasitology; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1