Genetic Polymorphisms of Plasmodium Falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein (PfMSP) in Mae Sot Isolates

Abstract

Malaria remains a major public health problem in Thailand due to the emergence of multidrug resistance Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria infection caused by P. falciparum can cause coma, especially cerebral malaria and lead to death. Understanding genetic diversity of parasites is essential for developing effective drugs and vaccines for malaria control. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity pattern of merozoite surface protein 1 (PfMSP-1) and merozoite surface protein 2 (PfMSP-2) genes in a total of 50 P. falciparum isolates collected from Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand during 2009 to 2010. The polymorphisms of PfMSP-1 and PfMSP-2 were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both individual gene and their combination patterns showed marked genetic diversity. These two polymorphic genes could be used as molecular markers to detect multiple clone infections and differentiate recrudescence from re-infection in P. falciparum isolates in Thailand.