Evaluation of the population structure and genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in southern China

Abstract

BackgroundYunnan and Hainan provinces are the two major endemic regions for Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria in China. However, few studies have investigated the characteristics of this parasite. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of P. falciparum to predict the geographic origin of falciparum malaria.MethodsThirteen highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were studied to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of 425 P. falciparum isolates obtained from blood samples collected from Yunnan and Hainan provinces of South China. The isolates were analysed for genetic diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and population structure. The parasite populations were clustered into two subgroups (i.e., Yunnan and Hainan) and a classification algorithm was used to identify molecular markers for classifying the P. falciparum populations.ResultsAll 13 microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus varying from 5 to 20. The mean expected heterozygosity (He) in Yunnan and Hainan was 0.766 ± 0.036 and 0.677 ± 0.039, respectively, revealing a moderate high level of genetic diversity. Significant linkage disequilibrium was found for some regions of Yunnan (Lazan county and Xishuangbanna region) and Hainan (Dongfang city and Sanya city) province. According to the classification algorithm, a combination of three microsatellites could be used as a discriminatory marker to identify the origin of P. falciparum isolates.ConclusionsThe results on the genetic structure of P. falciparum populations from South China provide a basis for developing a genetic marker-based tool to trace the source of the parasite infections and consequently improve malaria control and elimination strategies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0786-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ControllingAedes albopictusandCulex pipiens pallensusing silver nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous extract ofCassia fistulafruit pulp and its mode of action

“…Among all, malaria remains a serious public health problem in many tropical and subtropical countries, affecting millions of individuals annually. In Southern China, major endemic cases were reported for falciparum malaria [3]. The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is highly anthropophilic and a day-biter mosquito which resides in peri-domestic habitats, serving as important vector of arboviruses throughout the world [4].…”

Population genetic structure and adaptation of malaria parasites on the edge of endemic distribution

“…; Wei et al . ), and in some parts of Central and South America, this parasite species has become so rare that populations contain very little genetic diversity (Griffing et al . ; Larranaga et al .…”

“…The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum causes more human deaths and disease than all other eukaryotic pathogens combined, but recent progress in malaria control has led advocacy for elimination from some endemic areas (Newby et al 2016). Genotypic analyses indicate that P. falciparum populations have become genetically fragmented in parts of Asia where infection prevalence has been reduced to very low levels (Anderson et al 2000;Anthony et al 2005;Bridle & Vines 2007;Iwagami et al 2009;Pumpaibool et al 2009;Wei et al 2015), and in some parts of Central and South America, this parasite species has become so rare that populations contain very little genetic diversity (Griffing et al 2011;Larranaga et al 2013;Baldeviano et al 2015). However, the potential for P. falciparum elimination is much less evident in Africa, the continent with most cases of infection and the highest malaria disease burden.…”

Genetic evidence for imported malaria and local transmission in Richard Toll, Senegal

“…More complex genotype infections, defined as the presence of more than one parasite genome in a single patient, are found in higher transmission settings as a consequence of outcrossing between genetically distinct parasite types [17]. Thus, detection of more complex parasite genotypes among travelers in low transmission settings is consistent with these infections originating from higher transmission areas [18][19][20][21][22][23]. Genetic data can provide more precise information about infection origin and connectivity (i.e., the degree of genetic relatedness) between infections [8], information that can be used to determine if a malaria infection is local or imported.…”