Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Plasmodium falciparum in Lake Victoria Islands, A Region of Intense Transmission.
Understanding the genetic structure and transmission dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in malaria-endemic regions is crucial before the implementation of interventions. Located in a high-transmission region of western Kenya where P. falciparum is the predominant species, the Lake Victoria islands are ideal for feasibility of malaria elimination studies. We analyzed genetic variation in eight microsatellite loci to examine parasite population structure and gene flow patterns across five sites. High levels of genetic diversity were measured throughout the region (mean heterozygosity index = 0.84). The overall fixation index value between the sites was 0.044, indicating that approximately 5% of the overall allelic variation is due to differences between the populations. Based on these results, we concluded that parasite population structure in the studied islands is shaped by human migration patterns that maintain extensive parasite gene flow between the sites. Consequently, any malaria elimination and interventions strategies in the study area will have to be carried out broadly on all four islands and adjoining mainland region.
Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya. felixmulenge@yahoo.com chunja@seku.ac.ke.
Felix M
FM
Mulenge
South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui, Kenya. felixmulenge@yahoo.com chunja@seku.ac.ke.
Carol W
CW
Hunja
Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
Esther
E
Magiri
Malaria Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Richard
R
Culleton
Island Malaria Group, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.
Akira
A
Kaneko
Center for Research in Therapeutic Sciences, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.|African Center for Clinical Trials, Nairobi, Kenya.
Rashid A
RA
Aman
D000483:Alleles; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D051456:Gene Flow; D056426:Genetic Loci; D014644:Genetic Variation; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D062312:Islands; D007630:Kenya; D060106:Lakes; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000453:epidemiology; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D016054:DNA, Protozoan