title: Genetic diversity and complexity of Plasmodium falciparum infections in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) using msp-1 and msp-2 as antigenic markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parasite DNA was extracted from 100 blood samples collected from P. falciparum-positive patients confirmed by microscopy, and followed by PCR-genotyping targeting the msp-1 (block2) and msp-2 (block 3) allelic families.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the families of msp-1 (K1, MAD20 and R033) and msp-2 (FC27 and 3D7) locus were observed. Results revealed that K1 (60/100) was the most predominant genotype of msp-1 allelic family followed by the genotypes of MAD20 (50/100) and R033 (45/100). In the msp-2 locus, FC27 genotype (62/100) showed higher frequency than 3D7 genotype (55/100). The allelic families were detected either alone or in combination with other families. However, no R033/MAD20 combination was observed. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) with msp-1 was higher in the locality of Ikorodu (1.50) than in Lekki (1.39). However, MOI with msp-2 was lower in the locality of Ikorodu (1.14) than in Lekki (1.76). There was no significant difference in the mean MOI between the two study areas (P=0.427).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observation of limited diversity of malaria parasites may imply that the use of antigenic markers as genotyping tools for distinguishing recrudescence and re-infections with P. falciparum during drug trials is subjective.
authors.affiliation: Parasitology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science University of Lagos, Nigeria ; Malaria Research Laboratory, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Muyiwa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Oyebola
authors.affiliation: Parasitology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science University of Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emmanuel T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Idowu
authors.affiliation: Malaria Research Laboratory, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Yetunde A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Olukosi
authors.affiliation: Malaria Research Laboratory, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bamidele A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Iwalokun
authors.affiliation: Malaria Research Laboratory, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chimere O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Agomo
authors.affiliation: Malaria Research Laboratory, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusola O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Ajibaye
authors.affiliation: Malaria Research Laboratory, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Monday
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tola
authors.affiliation: Parasitology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Science University of Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adetoro O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Otubanjo
keywords: Antigenic markers; Diversity; Drug trials; Multiplicity of infections; Recrudescence