Polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum K13-propeller in Angola and Mozambique after the introduction of the ACTs

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 19;10(3):e0119215. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119215. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

We report the presence of SNPs in Plasmodium falciparum K13-propeller gene in two African countries, Angola and Mozambique, where malaria is a serious public health problem. Samples were collected before and after ACT introduction as first-line treatment. In each country 50 samples collected before and 50 after ACT introduction were analysed. A total of three different mutations (R471R and R575R in Angola and V494I in Mozambique) were identified in five samples, all collected after the introduction of ACT. The R471R mutation detected in Angola has already been reported in Africa (DR-Congo and Gabon). However, the mutations R575R (Angola) and V494I (Mozambique), have never been reported. V494I is adjacent to the known K13 resistance-associated mutation Y493H, although functional analysis did not predict a deleterious effect on protein function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angola
  • Artemisinins / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum / genetics*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
  • Mozambique
  • Mutation
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Artemisinins
  • Protozoan Proteins

Grants and funding

Field work was supported by Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (http://www.uem.mz/index.php/faculdades-e-escolas/faculdades/faculdade-de-medicina), Maputo, Moçambique and by Universidade Agostinho Neto (http://www.agostinhoneto.co.ao), Luanda, Angola. Molecular analysis was supported by Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais [PEst-OE/SAU/LA0018/2011 - Proj. Estratégico LA0018 2011/2012 (more information available at: http://cmdt.ihmt.unl.pt/index.php/pt/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.