Genetic polymorphisms influence Plasmodium ovale PCR detection accuracy.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Calderaro A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1865880 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Genetic polymorphisms influence Plasmodium ovale PCR detection accuracy.
Calderaro A A Piccolo G G Perandin F F Gorrini C C Peruzzi S S Zuelli C C Ricci L L Manca N N Dettori G G Chezzi C C Snounou G G
Journal of clinical microbiology 20070314 5
Detection of Plasmodium ovale by use of a nested PCR assay with a novel Plasmodium ovale primer set was superior to detection of Plasmodium ovale by real-time PCR assays. Nested PCR was also better at detecting P. malariae. The detection of P. ovale in many patients first admitted >2 months following their return to Italy indicated that P. ovale relapses are common. ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundPlasmodium ovale is one of the five malaria species infecting humans. Recent data have shown that the name of this neglected species masks two distinct genotypes also called curtisi and wallikeri. Some authors show that these species could be sympatric. These two subspecies are not differentiated by microscopy techniques and malaria rapid diagnostic tests. This diagnostic defect is the result of low parasitaemia, antigenic polymorphism and absence of antibodies performance and requires the use of sequencing techniques. An accurate and easy discrimination detection method is necessary.MethodsA new molecular assay was developed to easily identify the two genotypes of P. ovale. This tool allowed the study of 90 blood samples containing P. ovale, confirmed by molecular biology techniques, which were obtained from patients with imported malaria.ResultsThe new marker was validated on well genotyped samples. The genotype of 90 P. ovale samples mainly imported from the Ivory Coast and the Comoros Islands was easily and quickly realized. The distribution of the two subspecies was described with a significant number of samples and showed that the two genotypes were present in the studied countries.ConclusionThis work confirms the presence of the two species in the same country for the first time, in the Ivory Coast and the Comoros Islands. A better genotyping of P. ovale types may improve a better characterization of the clinical pathophysiology for each.
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Project description:BackgroundMalaria, due to Plasmodium ovale, can be challenging to diagnose due to clinically mild disease and low parasite burden. Two genetically distinct sub-species of P. ovale exist: Plasmodium ovale curtisi (classic) and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri (variant). It is presently unknown if the sub-species causing infection affects performance of malaria diagnostic tests. The aim of this work was to understand how the genetically distinct sub-species, P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri, affect malaria diagnostic tests.MethodsPlasmodium ovale-positive whole blood specimens were sub-speciated by PCR and sequencing of 18S rRNA and dhfr-ts. Parasitaemia, morphology, pan-aldolase positivity, 18S copy number, and dhfr-ts sequences were compared between sub-species.ResultsFrom 2006 to 2015, 49 P. ovale isolates were identified, of which 22 were P. o. curtisi and 27 P. o. wallikeri; 80% were identified in the last five years, and 88% were acquired in West Africa. Sub-species did not differ by parasitaemia, 18S copy number, or pan-aldolase positivity. Lack of Schüffner's stippling was over-represented among P. o. wallikeri isolates (p = 0.02). Several nucleotide polymorphisms between the sub-species were observed, but they do not occur at sites believed to relate to antifolate binding.ConclusionsPlasmodium ovale is increasing among travellers to West Africa, although sub-species do not differ significantly by parasitologic features such as parasitaemia. Absence of Schüffner's stippling may be a feature specific to P. o. wallikeri and is a novel finding.
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