Journal Article

Molecular profiling of the artemisinin resistance Kelch 13 gene in Plasmodium falciparum from Nigeria

Akano, Kazeem O., Wammanda, Robinson D., Adegboyega, Benjamin B., Oguche, Stephen, Philip, Courage, Kayode, Adeyemi T., Ajogbasile, Fehintola V., Ogbulafor, Nnenna, Happi, Christian T., Okafor, Henrietta U., Mokuolu, Olugbenga A., Folarin, Onikepe A., Oluniyi, Paul E.

2022

Overview

Accurate assessment and monitoring of the Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 ( pfk13) gene associated with artemisinin resistance is critical to understand the emergence and spread of drug-resistant parasites in malaria-endemic regions. In this study, we evaluated the genomic profile of the pfk13 gene associated with artemisinin resistance in P . falciparum in Nigerian children by targeted sequencing of the pfk13 gene. Genomic DNA was extracted from 332 dried blood (DBS) spot filter paper samples from three Nigerian States. The pfk13 gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and amplicons were sequenced to detect known and novel polymorphisms across the gene. Consensus sequences of samples were mapped to the reference gene sequence obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Out of the 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected in the pfk13 gene, five (F451L, N664I, V487E, V692G and Q661H) have not been reported in other endemic countries to the best of our knowledge. Three of these SNPs (V692G, N664I and Q661H) and a non-novel SNP, C469C, were consistent with late parasitological failure (LPF) in two States (Enugu and Plateau States). There was no validated mutation associated with artemisinin resistance in this study. However, a correlation of our study with in vivo and in vitro phenotypes is needed to establish the functional role of detected mutations as markers of artemisinin resistance in Nigeria. This baseline information will be essential in tracking and monitoring P . falciparum resistance to artemisinin in Nigeria.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Analysis / Antimalarials - pharmacology / Antimalarials - therapeutic use / Artemisinin / Artemisinins - pharmacology / Artemisinins - therapeutic use / Asexuality / Biology and Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Care and treatment / Child / Children & youth / Childrens health / Conserved sequence / Control / Deoxyribonucleic acid / Diagnosis / DNA / DNA sequencing / Drug resistance / Drug Resistance - genetics / Drugs / Filter paper / Gene sequencing / Genetic aspects / Genomics / Humans / Identification and classification / In vivo methods and tests / Infectious diseases / Malaria / Malaria, Falciparum - drug therapy / Malaria, Falciparum - genetics / Malaria, Falciparum - parasitology / Medicine and Health Sciences / Monitoring / Mutation / Nigeria / Nucleotides / Parasite resistance / Parasites / Pediatrics / People and Places / Phenotypes / Plasmodium falciparum / Plasmodium falciparum - drug effects / Plasmodium falciparum - genetics / Polymerase chain reaction / Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Protozoan Proteins - genetics / Risk factors / Single nucleotide polymorphisms / Single-nucleotide polymorphism / Teaching hospitals / Vector-borne diseases