Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Gene Deletions in Malaria-Hyperendemic Region, South Sudan

Abstract

Pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions threaten the use of Plasmodium falciparum malaria rapid diagnostic tests globally. In South Sudan, deletion frequencies were 15.6% for pfhrp2, 20.0% for pfhrp3, and 7.5% for double deletions. Deletions were approximately twice as prevalent in monoclonal infections than in polyclonal infections.

Keywords

• malaria
• Plasmodium falciparum
• histidine-rich protein
• RDT
• surveillance
• parasites