Genetic Polymorphism ofmsp1 andmsp2 inPlasmodium falciparumIsolates from Côte d’Ivoire versus Gabon

Abstract

Introduction. The characterization of genetic profile ofPlasmodiumisolates from different areas could help in better strategies for malaria elimination. This study aimed to compareP. falciparumdiversity in two African countries.Methods. Isolates collected from 100 and 73falciparummalaria infections in sites of Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa) and Gabon (Central Africa), respectively, were analyzed by a nested PCR amplification ofmsp1 andmsp2 genes.Results. The K1 allelic family was widespread in Côte d’Ivoire (64.6%) and in Gabon (56.6%). Formsp2, the 3D7 alleles were more prevalent (>70% in both countries) compared to FC27 alleles. In Côte d’Ivoire, the frequencies of multiple infections withmsp1 (45.1%) andmsp2 (40.3%) were higher than those found for isolates from Gabon, that is, 30.2% withmsp1 and 31.4% withmsp2. The overall complexity of infection was 1.66 (SD = 0.79) in Côte d’Ivoire and 1.58 (SD = 0.83) in Gabon. It decreased with age in Côte d’Ivoire in contrast to Gabon.Conclusion. Differences observed in some allelic families and in complexity profile may suggest an impact of epidemiological facies as well as immunological response on genetic variability ofP. falciparum.