Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum

Authors

  • José Enrique Oliva Menacho Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú

Keywords:

Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Genetic diversity, Epidemiology, Immunity

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Genetic diversity gives Plasmodium falciparum the ability to evade the host’s immune response and produce drug- and vaccine-resistant variants. Different authors have documented the existence of strains or clones of P. falciparum, whose genetic diversity has been confirmed through different PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assays. The goal was to describe the genetic diversity of P. falciparum. METHODS: For the narrative review a search of published literature was conducted, that included books, original scientific articles, verifying the subject, and technical reports. The documents were consulted in August and December 2019 through Internet access and libraries of the Academic Search Complete of search engine Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, Redalyc and Psicodoc. RESULTS: Polymorphic sequences useful as genetic markers of P. falciparum populations were identified, with the genes of the merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 (MSP-1, MSP-2) and the gene of the glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) that produce drug- and vaccine-resistant variants. DISCUSSION: According to the findings in the different regions studied, the genetic diversity, the multiplicity of infection and the time dynamics of P. falciparum infections are affected by the degree of endemicity of malaria in each country.

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Published

01-07-2020 — Updated on 11-11-2020

How to Cite

Oliva Menacho, J. E. (2020). Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum. Revista Argentina De Salud Pública, 12, e4. Retrieved from https://rasp.msal.gov.ar/index.php/rasp/article/view/53