PROF. OKOTH SHEILA

Citation:

Okoth S. "Prevalence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Puerto Lempira, Honduras." Malaria journal. 2015;14(1):19.

Abstract:

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the deletion of the histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) gene (pfhrp2)
in field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, which could result in false negative test results when PfHRP2-based rapid
diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used for malaria diagnosis. Although primary diagnosis of malaria in Honduras is
determined based on microscopy, RDTs may be useful in remote areas. In this study, it was investigated whether
there are deletions of the pfhrp2, pfhrp3 and their respective flanking genes in 68 P. falciparum parasite isolates
collected from the city of Puerto Lempira, Honduras. In addition, further investigation considered the possible
correlation between parasite population structure and the distribution of these gene deletions by genotyping
seven neutral microsatellites.
Methods: Sixty-eight samples used in this study, which were obtained from a previous chloroquine efficacy
study, were utilized in the analysis. All samples were genotyped for pfhrp2, pfhrp3 and flanking genes by PCR.
The samples were then genotyped for seven neutral microsatellites in order to determine the parasite
population structure in Puerto Lempira at the time of sample collection.
Results: It was found that all samples were positive for pfhrp2 and its flanking genes on chromosome 8.
However, only 50% of the samples were positive for pfhrp3 and its neighboring genes while the rest were either
pfhrp3-negative only or had deleted a combination of pfhrp3 and its neighbouring genes on chromosome 13.
Population structure analysis predicted that there are at least two distinct parasite population clusters in this
sample population. It was also determined that a greater proportion of parasites with pfhrp3-(and flanking gene)
deletions belonged to one cluster compared to the other.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the P. falciparum parasite population in the municipality of Puerto Lempira
maintains the pfhrp2 gene and that PfHRP2-based RDTs could be considered for use in this region; however continued
monitoring of parasite population will be useful to detect any parasites with deletions of pfhrp2.
Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, Histidine-rich protein, Rapid diagnostic tests, Microsatellites, Honduras

Website