title: Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Genetic Diversity in the Korean Peninsula Based on the P vivax Merozoite Surface Protein Gene.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vivax malaria has reemerged and become endemic in Korea. Our study aimed to analyze by both longitudinal and cross-sectional genetic diversity of this malaria based on the P vivax Merozoite Surface Protein (PvMSP) gene parasites recently found in the Korean peninsula.
  
  
  METHODS
  PvMSP-1 gene sequence analysis from P vivax isolates (n = 835) during the 1996-2010 period were longitudinally analyzed and the isolates from the Korean peninsula through South Korea, the demilitarized zone and North Korea collected in 2008-2010 were enrolled in an overall analysis of MSP-1 gene diversity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  New recombinant subtypes and severe multiple-cloneinfection rates were observed in recent vivax parasites. Regional variation was also observed in the study sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed the great complexity of genetic variation and rapid dissemination of genes in P vivax. It also showed interesting patterns of diversity depending, on the region in the Korean Peninsula. Understanding the parasiteninsula. Under genetic variation may help to analyze trends and assess the extent of endemic malaria in Korea.
authors.affiliation: Division of Malaria and Parasitic Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Hyo-Soon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hyun-Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: In-Ho
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yien-Kyeoug
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyoung-Mi
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Shin-Hyeong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Won-Ja
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Korea; Plasmodium vivax; PvMSP-1; genetic diversity