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Journal article
Distribution of Plasmodium falciparum K13 gene polymorphisms across transmission settings in Ghana
BMC infectious diseases, Vol.23(1), 801
16 Nov 2023
PMID: 37974079
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Malaria is a significant global health concern, with a majority of cases in Sub-Saharan African nations. Numerous antimalarial drugs have been developed to counter the rampant prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) has served as the primary treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana since 2005. However, a growing concern has emerged due to the escalating reports of ACT resistance, particularly in Southeast Asia, and its encroachment into Africa. Specifically, mutations in the Kelch propeller domain on chromosome 13 (Pfk13) have been linked to ACT resistance. Yet, our understanding of mutation prevalence in Africa remains largely uncharted. In this study, we compared Pfk13 sequences obtained from 172 P. falciparum samples across three ecological and transmission zones in Ghana. We identified 27 non-synonymous mutations among these sequences, of which two of the mutations, C580Y (found in two samples from the central region) and Y493H (found in one sample from the north), had previously been validated for their association with artemisinin resistance, a phenomenon widespread in Southeast Asia. The Pfk13 gene diversity was most pronounced in the northern savannah than the central forest and south coastal regions, where transmission rates are lower. The observed mutations were not significantly associated with geographical regions, suggesting a frequent spread of mutations across the country. The ongoing global surveillance of artemisinin resistance remains pivotal, and our findings provides insights into the potential spread of resistant parasites in West Africa. Furthermore, the identification of novel codon mutations in this study raises their potential association to ACT resistance, warranting further investigation through in vitro assays to ascertain their functional significance.
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Details
- Title
- Distribution of Plasmodium falciparum K13 gene polymorphisms across transmission settings in Ghana
- Creators
- Cheikh Cambel Dieng - Drexel University, Microbiology and ImmunologyVictoria Morrison - University of North Carolina at CharlotteDickson Donu - Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical ResearchLiwang Cui - University of South FloridaLinda Amoah - University of GhanaYaw Afrane - University of GhanaEugenia Lo - Drexel University, Microbiology and Immunology
- Publication Details
- BMC infectious diseases, Vol.23(1), 801
- Grant note
- R01 AI123074 / NIAID NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001106170700003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85176763537
- Other Identifier
- 991021860620104721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases