Declining genetic polymorphism of the C-terminus Merozoite Surface Protein-1 amidst increased Plasmodium knowlesi transmission in Thailand

Tapaopong P 1 , Chainarin S 1 , Mala A 2 , Rannarong A 3 , Kangkasikorn N 3 , Kusolsuk T 4 Show all authors , Roobsoong W 1 , Cui L 5 , Nguitragool W 1 , Sattabongkot J 1 , Bantuchai S 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 2 Ruso Hospital, Narathiwat, Thailand
  • 3 Vector-Borne Disease Control Center 3.2, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
  • 4 Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 5 Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
  • 6 Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sirasate.ban@mahidol.edu
Malar J, 2024 Nov 13;23(1):342.
PMID: 39538241 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05162-z

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent reports from Thailand reveal a substantial surge in Plasmodium knowlesi cases over the past decades, with a more than eightfold increase in incidence by 2023 compared to 2018. This study investigates temporal changes in genetic polymorphism associated with the escalating transmission of P. knowlesi malaria in Thailand over time using the prominent vaccine candidate, pkmsp1 as a marker.

METHODS: Twenty-five P. knowlesi samples collected in 2018-2023 were sequenced for the 42-kDa region of pkmsp1 and compared with 24 retrieved sequences in 2000-2009, focusing on nucleotide diversity, natural selection, recombination rate, and population differentiation.

RESULTS: Seven unique haplotypes were identified in recent samples, compared to 15 in earlier samples. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity were lower in recent samples (π = 0.016, Hd = 0.817) than in earlier samples (π = 0.018, Hd = 0.942). Significantly higher synonymous substitution rates were observed in both sample sets (dS-dN = 2.77 and 2.43, p 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications