Plasmodium falciparum malarial parasites from Brazil lack artemisinin resistance-associated mutations in the kelch13 gene

Chapadense, Francesca; Machado, Ricardo Luiz Dantas; Ventura, Ana Maria Revorêdo da Silva; Áreas, André; Machado, Renato Beilner; Viana, Giselle Rachid; Zalis, Mariano Gustavo; Castro, Ana Maria de; Cravo, Pedro

Plasmodium falciparum malarial parasites from Brazil lack artemisinin resistance-associated mutations in the kelch13 gene

Chapadense, Francesca; Machado, Ricardo Luiz Dantas; Ventura, Ana Maria Revorêdo da Silva; Áreas, André; Machado, Renato Beilner; Viana, Giselle Rachid; Zalis, Mariano Gustavo; Castro, Ana Maria de; Cravo, Pedro.

Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop; 52 (), 2019

Publication year: 2019

Abstract INTRODUCTION Mutations in the propeller domain of the Plasmodium falciparum kelch13 (k13) gene are associated with artemisinin resistance.

METHODS:

We developed a PCR protocol to sequence the pfk13 gene and determined its sequence in a batch of 50 samples collected from 2003 to 2016 in Brazil.

RESULTS:

We identified 1 K189T substitution located outside the propeller domain of the PfK13 protein in 36% of samples.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the sample size is relatively small, these results suggest that P. falciparum artemisinin-resistant mutants do not exist in Brazil, thereby supporting the continuation of current treatment programs based on artemisinin-based combination therapy.

Artemisininas/farmacología, Resistencia a Medicamentos/genética, Genotipo, Malaria Falciparum/parasitología, Mutación/genética, Fenotipo, Plasmodium falciparum/efectos de los fármacos, Plasmodium falciparum/genética, Proteínas Protozoarias/genética

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