Download Impacts of Antimalarial Campaigns on Plasmodium falciparum

Impacts of Antimalarial Campaigns on Plasmodium falciparum Genetic Structure in Western Kenya
Emuejevuoke A Umukoro, Victor K Tang
Mentors: Guiyun Yan, Elizabeth Hemming
The prevalence of malaria in Western Kenya is influenced by the variability of landscapes and increased
resistance to antimalarial drugs. The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is prevalent in this region and the
increased occurrence of malaria epidemics in malaria-free and low malaria incidence regions suggest a change
in genetic structure and anti-malarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum populations. To test this
hypothesis, we aimed to determine the population genetic structure of P. falciparum and the current status of
drug resistant frequencies in Western Kenya. To determine genetic structure, we extracted DNA from
parasite samples, used qPCR to identify positive samples, and amplified five microsatellite loci for our
microsatellite genotyping which will later be used for population comparisons. From current data from our
lowland site, we have identified allelic variations in the lowland site with four present for microsatellite
TA124, five for PE87a, three for TA42, six for PFPK2 and six for TA109. Allele frequencies are currently
under analysis. In relation to drug resistant frequencies, we extracted DNA from blood samples collected in
2005, 2008, and 2014. Analyzing allelic variations and the presence of mutants from old and current samples
will enable us compare these samples and identify the changes in P. falciparum genetic structure. From the
parasite samples, we obtained 100 positive samples from one site in 2005 and 270 samples from three sites in
2014. Future directions are to sequence these samples at drug resistant codons to determine the effects of
public health interventions on drug resistance.