Plasmodium Falciparum Msp-1 and Msp-2 Genetic Diversity and Multiplicity of Infection in Isolates from Congolese Patients in the Republic of Congo

Overview

Journal Parasitol Res

Specialty Parasitology

Date 2023 Aug 25

PMID 37624380

Authors

Marcel Tapsou Baina

Jean Claude Djontu

Abel Lissom

Naura Veil Assioro Doulamo

Dieu Merci Umuhoza

Jacque Dollon Mbama Ntabi

Christevy Jeanney Vouvoungui

Reauchelvy Kamal Boumpoutou

Jolivet Mayela

Steve Diafouka-Kietela

Etienne Nguimbi

Francine Ntoumi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

With limited up to date data from the Republic of Congo, the aim of this study was to investigate allelic polymorphism of merozoite surface protein-1 (msp-1) and merozoite surface protein-2 (msp-2). This will help assess the genetic diversity and multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infection (MOI), from uncomplicated malaria individuals living in Brazzaville. Between March and October 2021, a cross-sectional study was carried out at a health center in Madibou District located in the south of Brazzaville. Plasmodium infection was diagnosed in human blood by microscopy and the block 2 of P. falciparum msp-1 and block 3 of msp-2 genes were genotyped by nested PCR. Overall, 57 genotypes with fragment sizes ranging from 110 to 410 bp were recorded for msp-1, among which 25, 21, and 11 genotypes identified for K1, MAD20, and RO33 allelic families respectively. RO33 (34.3%) and MAD20 (34.3%) allelic families were more frequent compared to K1 (31.4%) although the difference was not statistically significant. Also, 47 msp-2 genotypes were identified, including 26 FC27 genotypes type, and 21 genotypes belonging to the 3D7 allelic family. FC27 was more frequent (52.3%) compared to 3D7 (47.7%). The prevalence of the polyclonal infection was 90.0% while the MOI was 2.90 ± 1.0. The MOI and polyclonal infection were not significantly associated with the parasitaemia and anaemia. This study reveals a high genetic diversity and the trend of increasing MOI of P. falciparum isolates from the south of Brazzaville, compared to the reports from the same setting before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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