Journal article

High levels of genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum populations in Papua New Guinea despite variable infection prevalence

AE Barry, L Schultz, N Senn, J Nale, B Kiniboro, PM Siba, I Mueller, JC Reeder

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | Published : 2013

Abstract

High levels of genetic diversity in Plasmodium falciparum populations are an obstacle to malaria control. Here, we investigate the relationship between local variation in malaria epidemiology and parasite genetic diversity in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Cross-sectional malaria surveys were performed in 14 villages spanning four distinct malaria-endemic areas on the north coast, including one area that was sampled during the dry season. High-resolution msp2 genotyping of 2,147 blood samples identified 761 P. falciparum infections containing a total of 1,392 clones whose genotypes were used to measure genetic diversity. Considerable variability in infection prevalence and mean multiplicity of infe..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia


Funding Acknowledgements

The samples used in the study were collected during a study of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in infants (IPTi) for malaria in Papua New Guinea supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This work was made possible with the support of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia through project grant 488221 and a Research Fellowship awarded to JCR, the Victorian State Government Operational Infrastructure Support and Australian Government NHMRC IRIISS.