title: Prevalence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Puerto Lempira, Honduras.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies have demonstrated the deletion of the histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) gene (pfhrp2) in field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, which could result in false negative test results when PfHRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used for malaria diagnosis. Although primary diagnosis of malaria in Honduras is determined based on microscopy, RDTs may be useful in remote areas. In this study, it was investigated whether there are deletions of the pfhrp2, pfhrp3 and their respective flanking genes in 68 P. falciparum parasite isolates collected from the city of Puerto Lempira, Honduras. In addition, further investigation considered the possible correlation between parasite population structure and the distribution of these gene deletions by genotyping seven neutral microsatellites.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight samples used in this study, which were obtained from a previous chloroquine efficacy study, were utilized in the analysis. All samples were genotyped for pfhrp2, pfhrp3 and flanking genes by PCR. The samples were then genotyped for seven neutral microsatellites in order to determine the parasite population structure in Puerto Lempira at the time of sample collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that all samples were positive for pfhrp2 and its flanking genes on chromosome 8. However, only 50% of the samples were positive for pfhrp3 and its neighboring genes while the rest were either pfhrp3-negative only or had deleted a combination of pfhrp3 and its neighbouring genes on chromosome 13. Population structure analysis predicted that there are at least two distinct parasite population clusters in this sample population. It was also determined that a greater proportion of parasites with pfhrp3-(and flanking gene) deletions belonged to one cluster compared to the other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that the P. falciparum parasite population in the municipality of Puerto Lempira maintains the pfhrp2 gene and that PfHRP2-based RDTs could be considered for use in this region; however continued monitoring of parasite population will be useful to detect any parasites with deletions of pfhrp2.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.forename: Sheila Akinyi
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Okoth
authors.forename: Gustavo A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fontecha
authors.forename: Rosa Elena Mejia
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Engels I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Banegas
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Matute
authors.forename: Sandra Tamara Mancero
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Bucheli
authors.forename: Ira F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Alexandre Macedo
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Barnwell
authors.affiliation: Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS D-67, Atlanta 30333, GA, USA. vxu0@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Venkatachalam
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Udhayakumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D006721:Honduras; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; C514457:HRP-2 antigen, Plasmodium falciparum; C578339:HRP3 protein, Plasmodium falciparum; D015800:Protozoan Proteins