title: Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking histidine-rich protein 2 and 3: a review and recommendations for accurate reporting.
abstract: Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) play a critical role in malaria case management, surveillance and case investigations. Test performance is largely determined by design and quality characteristics, such as detection sensitivity, specificity, and thermal stability. However, parasite characteristics such as variable or absent expression of antigens targeted by RDTs can also affect RDT performance. Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking the PfHRP2 protein, the most common target antigen for detection of P. falciparum, have been reported in some regions. Therefore, accurately mapping the presence and prevalence of P. falciparum parasites lacking pfhrp2 would be an important step so that RDTs targeting alternative antigens, or microscopy, can be preferentially selected for use in such regions. Herein the available evidence and molecular basis for identifying malaria parasites lacking PfHRP2 is reviewed, and a set of recommended procedures to apply for future investigations for parasites lacking PfHRP2, is proposed.
authors: Qin
authors: Q
authors: Cheng
authors: Michelle L
authors: ML
authors: Gatton
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Barnwell
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Chiodini
authors: James
authors: J
authors: McCarthy
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Bell
authors: Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. cunninghamj@who.int.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011506:Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; C514457:HRP-2 antigen, Plasmodium falciparum; C578339:HRP3 protein, Plasmodium falciparum; D011506:Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein