ABSTRACT
Objective: To characterize the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) field
isolates in children from Lafia, North-central Nigeria, using the highly polymorphic P. falciparum
merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP-2) gene as molecular marker. Methods: Three hundred and
twenty children were enrolled into the study between 2005 and 2006. These included 140 children
who presented with uncomplicated malaria at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia and
another 180 children from the study area with asymptomatic infection. DNA was extracted
from blood spot on filter paper and MSP-2 genes were genotyped using allele-specific nested
PCR in order to analyze the genetic diversity of parasite isolates. Results: A total of 31 and 34
distinct MSP-2 alleles were identified in the asymptomatic and uncomplicated malaria groups
respectively. No difference was found between the multiplicity of infection in the asymptomatic
group and that of the uncomplicated malaria group (P>0.05). However, isolates of the FC27 allele
type were dominant in the asymptomatic group whereas isolates of the 3D7 allele type were
dominant in the uncomplicated malaria group. Conclusions: This study showed a high genetic
diversity of P. falciparum isolates in North-central Nigeria and is comparable to reports from
similar areas with high malaria transmission intensity.
Library, T., Oyedeji, S & Awobode, H (2021). Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from naturally infected children in north-central Nigeria using the merozoite surface protein-2 as molecular marker. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/genetic-diversity-of-plasmodium-falciparum-isolates-from-naturally-infected-children-in-north-central-nigeria-using-the-merozoite-surface-protein-2-as-molecular-marker
Library, The Public Access, et. al. "Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from naturally infected children in north-central Nigeria using the merozoite surface protein-2 as molecular marker" Afribary. Afribary, 23 Mar. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/genetic-diversity-of-plasmodium-falciparum-isolates-from-naturally-infected-children-in-north-central-nigeria-using-the-merozoite-surface-protein-2-as-molecular-marker. Accessed 25 May. 2022.
Library, The Public Access, Segun Oyedeji and Henrietta Awobode . "Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from naturally infected children in north-central Nigeria using the merozoite surface protein-2 as molecular marker". Afribary, Afribary, 23 Mar. 2021. Web. 25 May. 2022. < https://afribary.com/works/genetic-diversity-of-plasmodium-falciparum-isolates-from-naturally-infected-children-in-north-central-nigeria-using-the-merozoite-surface-protein-2-as-molecular-marker >.
Library, The Public Access, Segun Oyedeji and Henrietta Awobode . "Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from naturally infected children in north-central Nigeria using the merozoite surface protein-2 as molecular marker" Afribary (2021). Accessed May 25, 2022. https://afribary.com/works/genetic-diversity-of-plasmodium-falciparum-isolates-from-naturally-infected-children-in-north-central-nigeria-using-the-merozoite-surface-protein-2-as-molecular-marker