Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms of pvmdr1 and microsatellite genotype in Plasmodium vivax isolates from Republic of Korea military personnel.
BACKGROUND
Chloroquine has been administered to the soldiers of the Republic of Korea as prophylaxis against vivax malaria. Recent increase in the number of chloroquine-resistant parasites has raised concern over the chemoprophylaxis and treatment of vivax malaria.


METHODS
To monitor the development of chloroquine-resistant parasites in the Republic of Korea, analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of pvmdr1 and microsatellite markers were performed using samples collected from 55 South Korean soldiers infected with Plasmodium vivax.


RESULTS
Four SNPs, F1076L, T529, E1233, and S1358, were identified. Among these, S1358 was detected for the first time in Korea. The microsatellite-based study revealed higher genetic diversity in samples collected in 2012 than in 2011.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, the results indicate that P. vivax with a newly identified SNP of pvmdr1 has been introduced into the Korean P. vivax population. Therefore, continuous monitoring for chloroquine-resistant parasites is required for controlling vivax malaria in the Republic of Korea.
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 101 Dongin-2-ga, Joong-gu, Daegu, 70-422, Republic of Korea. dichung@knu.ac.kr.
Dong-Il
DI
Chung
Department of Medicine, Headquarters of Republic of Korea Army, Choongnam, Republic of Korea. j883j883@hanmail.net.
Sookwan
S
Jeong
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 101 Dongin-2-ga, Joong-gu, Daegu, 70-422, Republic of Korea. sylvatriez@yahoo.fr.
Sylvatrie-Danne
SD
Dinzouna-Boutamba
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 101 Dongin-2-ga, Joong-gu, Daegu, 70-422, Republic of Korea. hwyang92@gmail.com.
Hye-Won
HW
Yang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702-701, Republic of Korea. sgyeo@knu.ac.kr.
Sang-Geon
SG
Yeo
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 101 Dongin-2-ga, Joong-gu, Daegu, 70-422, Republic of Korea. ychong@knu.ac.kr.
Yeonchul
Y
Hong
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, 101 Dongin-2-ga, Joong-gu, Daegu, 70-422, Republic of Korea. kuku1819@knu.ac.kr.
Youn-Kyoung
YK
Goo
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D008889:Military Personnel; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology
D000962:Antimalarials; D002738:Chloroquine; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C541684:Mdr1 protein, Plasmodium vivax