Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Jul 2024)

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium malariae in sub-Saharan Africa: a two-marker genotyping approach for molecular epidemiological studies

  • Miriam Rodi,
  • Katarzyna Kawecka,
  • Laura Stephan,
  • Lilith Berner,
  • Martha Salinas Medina,
  • Albert Lalremruata,
  • Albert Lalremruata,
  • Tamirat Gebru Woldearegai,
  • Tamirat Gebru Woldearegai,
  • Pierre Blaise Matsiegui,
  • Mirjam Groger,
  • Mirjam Groger,
  • Rella Zoleko Manego,
  • Rella Zoleko Manego,
  • Rella Zoleko Manego,
  • Dorothea Ekoka Mbassi,
  • Dorothea Ekoka Mbassi,
  • Dorothea Ekoka Mbassi,
  • Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma,
  • Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma,
  • Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma,
  • Selidji Todagbe Agnandji,
  • Selidji Todagbe Agnandji,
  • Michael Ramharter,
  • Michael Ramharter,
  • Michael Ramharter,
  • Benjamin Mordmüller,
  • Benjamin Mordmüller,
  • Benjamin Mordmüller,
  • Juliana Inoue,
  • Jana Held,
  • Jana Held,
  • Jana Held

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1405198
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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IntroductionPlasmodium malariae is the most common non-falciparum species in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, data on its genetic diversity is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to establish a P. malariae genotyping approach based on size polymorphic regions that can be easily applied in molecular epidemiological studies.MethodsFour potential genotyping markers, Pm02, Pm09, P. malariae thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (pmtrap), and P. malariae merozoite surface protein fragment 2 (pmmsp1 F2) were amplified via nested PCR and analysed using automated capillary gel electrophoresis.ResultsWe observed the highest allelic diversity for pmtrap (MOI = 1.61) and pmmsp1 F2 (He = 0.81). Further applying the two markers pmtrap and pmmsp1 F2 on a different sample set of 21 P. malariae positive individuals followed up over one week, we saw a high consistency in their performance. The results show a large complexity and high dynamics of P. malariae infections in the asymptomatic Gabonese study population.DiscussionWe successfully implemented a new genotyping panel for P. malariae consisting of only two markers: pmtrap and pmmsp1 F2. It can be easily applied in other settings to investigate the genotype diversity of P. malariae populations, providing further important data on the molecular epidemiology of this parasite species.

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