Co-occurrence of Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions and mutations in the drug resistance genes (Pfdhfr and Pfdhps) in the north east regions of India: An observation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Diagnostically refractory mutations/deletions in Plasmodium falciparum pose significant obstacles to malaria diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to enhance the understanding and management of efforts towards sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) treatments in the north eastern regions of India. METHODS: A total of 87 samples collected retrospectively from the years 2018-2019 in four north east states Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura were studied. The extracted genomic DNA was subjected to intactness analysis using the msp 1, 2 and glurp genes, genotyping for diagnostic refractory gene deletions in ( Pfhrp2/Pfhrp3 ) and drug resistance gene mutations ( Pfdhfr and Pfdhps ). Sequence analysis was performed to evaluate single, double, triple and quadruple mutations in the genes Pfdhfr and Pfdhps . RESULTS: Out of 87 samples, 50 (57%) samples were found with Pfhrp2 and/or Pfhrp3 gene deletions (partial/complete). Out of these 50 samples, 47 showed Pfhrp2 gene deletion, 29 showed Pfhrp3 gene deletion and 26 samples showed deletions in both the genes. The presence of drug resistant with single, double, triple, quadruple mutations including mixed Pfdhfr and Pfdhps gene was seen in 75 (86%) samples. Out of 75 samples, 10 samples observed with sharing double (2) and triple (8) mutation in both Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes. These samples were from Assam (one), Meghalaya (two), Mizoram (six) and Tripura (one). Interestingly four of these ten samples, one each from Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, had Pfhrp2 -exon2 gene deletions showing resistance to diagnosis. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: These findings show evidence regarding the simultaneous presence of diagnostic refractory and drug resistant P. falciparum parasites in Northeast India. Further assessments of the mutations and deletions in these genes will help in understanding the positive selection pressures on such mutated P. falciparum parasites.
Source: Journal of Vector Borne Diseases
Authors: Sarita Kumari, Supriya Sharma, Naseem Ahmed, Bina Srivastava, Anupkumar R. Anvikar
Institution: National Institute of Malaria Research
Language: English
Topic: Malaria Research and Control
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7117300381