Deep Sequencing of Drug Resistance genes and Vaccine Candidate antigens in Plasmodium falciparum population from India.
Efficient malaria control and elimination strategies need a comprehensive understanding of drug resistance patterns and the identification of potential vaccine candidates. This study aims to track the emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance in India, where malaria remains a significant public health concern. Employing deep sequencing techniques, we conducted molecular surveillance on 158 patient isolates from diverse regions, including Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Nadiad in Gujarat, and Rourkela in Odisha. Our focus was on five key Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with drug resistance: Pfcrt for chloroquine, Pfdhfr for pyrimethamine, Pfdhps for sulfadoxine, Pfk13 for artemisinin, and Pfmdr1 for resistance to multiple antimalarial drugs. Additionally, we explored the genetic diversity of vaccine-candidate antigens, including CSP, Trap, AMA1, and MSP1, aiming to contribute crucial insights into potential targets for malaria vaccine development. This integrative approach enhances our understanding of both drug resistance dynamics and the genetic variability of vaccine-candidate antigens in Plasmodium falciparum populations across geographically diverse regions in India.