Detection of Plasmodium falciparum Multidrug Resistance-1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms among Asymptomatic Children in Ilishan- Remo, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: OLUWOLE Temitayo Oluwaseun
Journal: Journal Of Medicine And Biomedical Research
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Abstract
Background:
Asymptomatic malaria and antimalarial drug resistance are major challenges to global malaria elimination programmes. This study evaluated the prevalence of P. falciparum multidrug resistance-1 (Pfmdr-1) polymorphisms among asymptomatic children living in southwest Nigeria.
Methods:
In a cross-sectional study, 156 asymptomatic children aged 3 months to 10 years were screened between November and December, 2022. Finger-prick blood samples were collected to perform malaria rapid diagnostic test, thick blood smears for microscopy and dried blood spots for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. PCR-confirmed P. falciparum isolates were further assayed for Pfmdr-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at position N86 using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RLFP) with ApoI endonuclease enzyme digestion.
Results:
Participants comprised 70 (44.9%) males and 86 (55.1%) females. The mean age was 6 ± 4 years, temperature (36.2 ± 0.8 oC), weight (18.6 ± 9.5kg) and geometric mean parasite density and range (417; 40 - 2500p/μL). Of the 156 participants, malaria was detected in 25 (16.0%) 38 (24.4%) and 34 (21.8%) by malaria RDT, microscopy and PCR respectively. The overall malaria positive rate by the three diagnostic methods was 97 (62.2%). Out of the PCR-confirmed P. falciparum isolates (n = 34), the Pfmdr-1 mutant allele (N86Y) was detected in 29.4%.
Conclusion:
Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infected individuals harboured Pfmdr-1 mutant allele (N86Y) in the study location. Large-scale molecular surveillance of P. falciparum resistance markers to antimalarial drugs in asymptomatic population is essential to guide the national malaria control programmes in Nigeria.
