Temporal Changes in the Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 in Myanmar

Abstract

Despite a significant decline in the incidence of malaria in Myanmar recently, malaria is still an important public health concern in the country. Although Plasmodium falciparum is associated with the highest incidence of malaria in Myanmar, the proportion of P. vivax cases has shown a gradual increase in recent years. The genetic diversity of P. vivax merozoite surface protein-1 block 5-6 (pvmsp-1 ICB 5-6) in the P. vivax population of Myanmar was analyzed to obtain a comprehensive insight into its genetic heterogeneity and evolutionary history. High levels of genetic diversity of pvmsp-1 ICB 5-6 were identified in the P. vivax isolates collected from Myanmar between 2013 and 2015. Thirty-nine distinct haplotypes of pvmsp-1 ICB 5-6 (13 for Sal I type, 20 for recombinant type, and 6 for Belem type) were found at the amino acid level. Comparative analyses of the genetic diversity of pvmsp-1 ICB 5-6 sequences in the recent (2013–2015) and the past (2004) P. vivax populations in Myanmar revealed genetic expansion of the pvmsp-1 ICB 5-6 in recent years, albeit with a declined incidence. The recent increase in the genetic heterogeneity of Myanmar pvmsp-1 ICB 5-6 is attributed to a combination of factors, including accumulated mutations and recombination. These results suggest that the size of the P. vivax population in Myanmar is sufficient to enable the generation and maintenance of genetic diversity, warranting continuous molecular surveillance of genetic variation in Myanmar P. vivax.

Genetic diversity and molecular evolution of Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein and Merozoite Surface Protein-1 in northwestern Thailand

“…4B ). In contrast to the mutations in pvdbp II , the majority of mutations in pvmsp1 42kDa were new and not reported by previous studies from other regions ( Flores-Alanis et al, 2022 ; Gutierrez et al, 2016 ; Naw et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2017 ).…”

“…2 ). These genes encode vaccine targets of the parasites ( Dutta et al, 2005 ; Grimberg et al, 2007 ; Nicolete et al, 2016 ) and are often used as markers of parasite genetic diversity ( Flores-Alanis et al, 2022 ; Gutierrez et al, 2016 ; Ju et al, 2013 ; Naw et al, 2021 ; Sousa et al, 2010 ; Zhou et al, 2017 ). We aimed to understand whether the large reduction in clinical incidence is reflected in parasite genetic diversity, in which case, the latter may be used to monitor progress toward elimination.…”

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 in field isolates from central Myanmar

“…In addition, the level of malaria transmission in Myanmar varies by region, making the regional persistence of the disease heterogeneous [19][20][21][22]. Therefore, understanding the genetic diversity of malaria parasites represents a major step toward disease eradication because it can provide insights into effective vaccine development.…”

Molecular Profiles of Multiple Antimalarial Drug Resistance Markers in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in the Mandalay Region, Myanmar

“…Non-neglected levels of parasite population carrying multiple drug resistance characters were also found. Increasing genetic diversity of P. falciparum and P. vivax , albeit marked reduction of recent malaria incidences, raises a concern for dynamic changes of genetic structure and expansion of genetic heterogeneity of Plasmodium population in Myanmar [ 67 , 68 ]. Increasing movement of human populations may facilitate changes of parasite transmission patterns and spreading of drug-resistant Plasmodium populations in the country.…”