Novel Mutations in K13 Propeller Gene of Artemisinin-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

We looked for mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum K13 propeller gene of an artemisinin-resistant parasite on islands in Lake Victoria, Kenya, where transmission in 2012–2013 was high. The 4 new types of nonsynonymous, and 5 of synonymous, mutations we detected among 539 samples analyzed provide clues to understanding artemisinin-resistant parasites.

Keywords

• Plasmodium falciparum
• artemisinin
• drug resistance
• point mutation
• parasites
• malaria