title: Utility of COX1 phylogenetics to differentiate between locally acquired and imported Plasmodium knowlesi infections in Singapore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there have been several phylogenetic studies on Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi), only cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene analysis has shown some geographical differentiation between the isolates of different countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phylogenetic analysis of locally acquired P. knowlesi infections, based on circumsporozoite, small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA), merozoite surface protein 1 and COX1 gene targets, was performed. The results were compared with the published sequences of regional isolates from Malaysia and Thailand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phylogenetic analysis of the circumsporozoite, SSU rRNA and merozoite surface protein 1 gene sequences for regional P. knowlesi isolates showed no obvious differentiation that could be attributed to their geographical origin. However, COX1 gene analysis showed that it was possible to differentiate between Singapore-acquired P. knowlesi infections and P. knowlesi infections from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability to differentiate between locally acquired P. knowlesi infections and imported P. knowlesi infections has important utility for the monitoring of P. knowlesi malaria control programmes in Singapore.
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jin Phang
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.affiliation: Biodefence Centre, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore.
authors.forename: Qiu Han Christine
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Biodefence Centre, Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore.
authors.forename: Vernon J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tetteh
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Drakeley
mesh_terms: D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria; D008296:Malaysia; D010802:Phylogeny; D016790:Plasmodium knowlesi / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012846:Singapore; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV
keywords: Plasmodium knowlesi; cytochrome oxidase subunit 1; phylogenetics