Genetic analysis reveals unique characteristics of Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations in Haiti
Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: With increasing interest in eliminating malaria from the Caribbean region, Haiti is one of the two countries on the island of Hispaniola with continued malaria transmission. While the Haitian population remains at risk for malaria, there are a limited number of cases annually, making conventional epidemiological measures such as case incidence and prevalence of potentially limited value for fine-scale resolution of transmission patterns and trends. In this context, genetic signatures may be useful for the identification and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite population in order to identify foci of transmission, detect outbreaks, and track parasite movement to potentially inform malaria control and elimination strategies. METHODS: This study evaluated the genetic signals based on analysis of 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 462 monogenomic (single-genome) P. falciparum DNA samples extracted from dried blood spots collected from malaria-positive patients reporting to health facilities in three southwestern Haitian departments (Nippes, Grand'Anse, and Sud) in 2016. RESULTS: Assessment of the parasite genetic relatedness revealed evidence of clonal expansion within Nippes and the exchange of parasite lineages between Nippes, Sud, and Grand'Anse. Furthermore, 437 of the 462 samples shared high levels of genetic similarity-at least 20 of 21 SNPS-with at least one other sample in the dataset. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed patterns of relatedness suggestive of the repeated recombination of a limited number of founding parasite types without significant outcrossing. These genetic signals offer clues to the underlying relatedness of parasite populations and may be useful for the identification of the foci of transmission and tracking of parasite movement in Haiti for malaria elimination.
Source: Malaria Journal
Language: English
Topic: Malaria Research and Control
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,149
Awards: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - To develop, validate, and integrate genomic tools and data into actionable information for malaria control and elimination decision-making in prior..., Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - to integrate Plasmodium falciparum and anopheline genomic data into surveillance and decision-making at the National Malaria Control Program in Sen..., G6112938334, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - to develop accurate, effective, and field-deployable research and diagnostic tools to guide malaria elimination and eradication efforts, using gen...
OpenAlex ID: W3094493661