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Pinedo-Cancino V, Arista KM, Baldeviano GC, Saavedra-Langer R, Arana A, Vásquez-Chasnamote ME, Valle-Campos A, Castro JC, Ventocilla JA, Smith ES, Lescano AG, Ruíz-Mesia L. Unravelling heterogeneous malaria transmission dynamics in the Peruvian Amazon: insights from a cross-sectional survey. Malar J 2024; 23:209. [PMID: 39010126 PMCID: PMC11251108 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05032-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a global health challenge, particularly in Peru's Loreto region. Despite ongoing efforts, high infection rates and asymptomatic cases perpetuate transmission. The Peruvian Ministry of Health's "Zero Malaria Plan" targets elimination. This novel study combines microscopic, molecular, and serological techniques to assess transmission intensity, identify epidemiological risk factors, and characterize species-specific patterns across villages. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions and support broader malaria elimination efforts in line with the Zero Malaria Plan initiative. METHODS A cross-sectional malaria survey was conducted in the Zungarococha community, comprising the villages Llanchama (LL), Ninarumi (NI), Puerto Almendra (PA), and Zungarococha (ZG), using microscopic, molecular, and serological techniques to evaluate malaria transmission intensity. Statistical analysis, including multivariate-adjusted analysis, seroprevalence curves, and spatial clustering analysis, were performed to assess malaria prevalence, exposure, and risk factors. RESULTS The survey revealed a high prevalence of asymptomatic infections (6% by microscopy and 18% by PCR), indicating that molecular methods are more sensitive for detecting asymptomatic infections. Seroprevalence varied significantly between villages, reflecting the heterogeneous malaria transmission dynamics. Multivariate analysis identified age, village, and limited bed net use as significant risk factors for malaria infection and species-specific exposure. Seroprevalence curves demonstrated community-specific patterns, with Llanchama and Puerto Almendra showing the highest seroconversion rates for both Plasmodium species. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the diverse nature of malaria transmission in the Loreto region, particularly nothing the pronounced heterogeneity as transmission rates decline, especially in residual malaria scenarios. The use of molecular and serological techniques enhances the detection of current infections and past exposure, aiding in the identification of epidemiological risk factors. These findings underscore the importance of using molecular and serological tools to characterize malaria transmission patterns in low-endemic areas, which is crucial for planning and implementing targeted interventions and elimination strategies. This is particularly relevant for initiatives like the Zero Malaria Plan in the Peruvian Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Pinedo-Cancino
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía (LIPNAA), Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru.
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru.
- School of Medicine, Universidad Continental, Huancayo, Peru.
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), Lima, Peru.
| | - Katty M Arista
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía (LIPNAA), Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
| | - G Christian Baldeviano
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH (NAMRU SOUTH), Bellavista, Callao, Peru
- Bluebird Bio, Inc., Somerville, MA, USA
| | - Rafael Saavedra-Langer
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía (LIPNAA), Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
- Departamento de Bioquímica E Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andrei Arana
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía (LIPNAA), Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
| | - Maria E Vásquez-Chasnamote
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía (LIPNAA), Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
| | - Andree Valle-Campos
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru
| | - Juan C Castro
- Unidad Especializada del Laboratorio de Investigación en Biotecnología, Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Biomédicas y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
| | | | - Edward S Smith
- Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), Lima, Peru
| | - Andres G Lescano
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH (NAMRU SOUTH), Bellavista, Callao, Peru
- Clima, Latin American Center of Excellence for Climate Change and Health, and Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), Lima, Peru
| | - Lastenia Ruíz-Mesia
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía (LIPNAA), Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales de la UNAP (CIRNA), Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana (UNAP), Iquitos, Peru
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Zhang X, Meadows SN, Martin T, Doran A, Angles R, Sander S, Bronson E, Witola WH. Plasmodium relictum MSP-1 capture antigen-based ELISA for detection of avian malaria antibodies in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 19:89-95. [PMID: 36090665 PMCID: PMC9459682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Avian malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp. and transmitted by mosquitos, is a leading cause of mortality of captive penguins. Antimalarial drugs are currently used to control infections in penguins. However, the effectiveness of treatment reduces significantly by the time the clinical signs appear, while early and unnecessary treatment interferes with development of protective immunity. Therefore, for suppressing parasitemia without affecting the development of immunity in captive penguins, antimalaria drugs need to be administered at the right time, which requires reliable diagnostic tools that can determine the levels of circulating antimalaria antibodies. In the present study, we have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) diagnostic assay based on the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) of P. relictum isolate SGS1 to specifically detect and relatively quantify antimalaria antibodies in penguins. We expressed and purified a truncated P. relictum isolate SGS1 MSP-1 and optimized its biotinylation and subsequent conjugation to streptavidin alkaline phosphatase for signal generation in ELISA. We tested the assay by analyzing sera obtained from penguins at the Baltimore Zoo, from Spring through Fall, and found that levels of detectable antibodies against MSP-1 varied seasonally for individual penguins, consistent with the expected seasonal variations in avian malaria prevalence. Corroboratively, we analyzed the sensitivity of the assay by titrating positive sera and found that the signal intensity generated was serum concentration-dependent, thus validating the ability of the assay to detect and relatively quantify the levels of antimalaria antibodies in penguin sera. ELISA based on MSP1 for detection and quantification of antibodies against Plasmodium relictum in birds was developed. Assay was validated to detect and quantify levels of antimalaria antibodies in infected penguins' sera. Assay detected varied antibody levels against MSP-1 in penguin sera consistent with seasonal variations in malaria prevalence.
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Putaporntip C, Kuamsab N, Rojrung R, Seethamchai S, Jongwutiwes S. Structural organization and sequence diversity of the complete nucleotide sequence encoding the Plasmodium malariae merozoite surface protein-1. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15591. [PMID: 36114242 PMCID: PMC9481586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19049-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) is a prime candidate for an asexual blood stage vaccine against malaria. However, polymorphism in this antigen could compromise the vaccine’s efficacy. Although the extent of sequence variation in MSP1 has been analyzed from various Plasmodium species, little is known about structural organization and diversity of this locus in Plasmodium malariae (PmMSP1). Herein, we have shown that PmMSP1 contained five conserved and four variable blocks based on analysis of the complete coding sequences. Variable blocks were characterized by short insertion and deletion variants (block II), polymorphic nonrepeat sequences (block IV), complex repeat structure with size variation (block VI) and degenerate octapeptide repeats (block VIII). Like other malarial MSP1s, evidences of intragenic recombination have been found in PmMSP1. The rate of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions significantly exceeded that of synonymous nucleotide substitutions in block IV, suggesting positive selection in this region. Codon-based analysis of deviation from neutrality has identified a codon under purifying selection located in close proximity to the homologous region of the 38 kDa/42 kDa cleavage site of P. falciparum MSP1. A number of predicted linear B-cell epitopes were identified across both conserved and variable blocks of the protein. However, polymorphism in repeat-containing blocks resulted in alteration of the predicted linear B-cell epitope scores across variants. Although a number of predicted HLA-class II-binding peptides were identified in PmMSP1, all variants of block IV seemed not to be recognized by common HLA-class II alleles among Thai population, suggesting that diversity in this positive selection region could probably affect host immune recognition. The data on structural diversity in PmMSP1 could be useful for further studies such as vaccine development and strain characterization of this neglected malaria parasite.
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Xu Q, Liu S, Kassegne K, Yang B, Lu J, Sun Y, Zhong W, Zhang M, Liu Y, Zhu G, Cao J, Cheng Y. Genetic diversity and immunogenicity of the merozoite surface protein 1 C-terminal 19-kDa fragment of Plasmodium ovale imported from Africa into China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:583. [PMID: 34819151 PMCID: PMC8611641 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) plays an essential role in erythrocyte invasion by malaria parasites. The C-terminal 19-kDa region of MSP1 has long been considered one of the major candidate antigens for a malaria blood-stage vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum. However, there is limited information on the C-terminal 19-kDa region of Plasmodium ovale MSP1 (PoMSP119). This study aims to analyze the genetic diversity and immunogenicity of PoMSP119. Methods A total of 37 clinical Plasmodium ovale isolates including Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri imported from Africa into China and collected during the period 2012–2016 were used. Genomic DNA was used to amplify P. ovale curtisi (poc) msp119 (pocmsp119) and P. ovale wallikeri (pow) msp119 (powmsp119) genes by polymerase chain reaction. The genetic diversity of pomsp119 was analyzed using the GeneDoc version 6 programs. Recombinant PoMSP119 (rPoMSP119)-glutathione S-transferase (GST) proteins were expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system and analyzed by western blot. Immune responses in BALB/c mice immunized with rPoMSP119-GST were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, antigen-specific T cell responses were assessed by lymphocyte proliferation assays. A total of 49 serum samples from healthy individuals and individuals infected with P. ovale were used for the evaluation of natural immune responses by using protein microarrays. Results Sequences of pomsp119 were found to be thoroughly conserved in all the clinical isolates. rPoMSP119 proteins were efficiently expressed and purified as ~ 37-kDa proteins. High antibody responses in mice immunized with rPoMSP119-GST were observed. rPoMSP119-GST induced high avidity indexes, with an average of 92.57% and 85.32% for rPocMSP119 and rPowMSP119, respectively. Cross-reactivity between rPocMSP119 and rPowMSP119 was observed. Cellular immune responses to rPocMSP119 (69.51%) and rPowMSP119 (52.17%) induced in rPocMSP119- and rPowMSP119-immunized mice were found in the splenocyte proliferation assays. The sensitivity and specificity of rPoMSP119-GST proteins for the detection of natural immune responses in patients infected with P. ovale were 89.96% and 75%, respectively. Conclusions This study revealed highly conserved gene sequences of pomsp119. In addition, naturally acquired humoral immune responses against rPoMSP1 were observed in P. ovale infections, and high immunogenicity of rPoMSP119 in mice was also identified. These instructive findings should encourage further testing of PoMSP119 for rational vaccine design. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05086-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinwen Xu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Sihong Liu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasite Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kokouvi Kassegne
- School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Yang
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiachen Lu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Sun
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenli Zhong
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaosa Zhang
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaobao Liu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasite Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoding Zhu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasite Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Cao
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasite Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yang Cheng
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Gimenez AM, Marques RF, Regiart M, Bargieri DY. Diagnostic Methods for Non-Falciparum Malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:681063. [PMID: 34222049 PMCID: PMC8248680 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.681063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a serious public health problem that affects mostly the poorest countries in the world, killing more than 400,000 people per year, mainly children under 5 years old. Among the control and prevention strategies, the differential diagnosis of the Plasmodium-infecting species is an important factor for selecting a treatment and, consequently, for preventing the spread of the disease. One of the main difficulties for the detection of a specific Plasmodium sp is that most of the existing methods for malaria diagnosis focus on detecting P. falciparum. Thus, in many cases, the diagnostic methods neglect the other non-falciparum species and underestimate their prevalence and severity. Traditional methods for diagnosing malaria may present low specificity or sensitivity to non-falciparum spp. Therefore, there is high demand for new alternative methods able to differentiate Plasmodium species in a faster, cheaper and easier manner to execute. This review details the classical procedures and new perspectives of diagnostic methods for malaria non-falciparum differential detection and the possibilities of their application in different circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Marina Gimenez
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo F. Marques
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matías Regiart
- Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Youssef Bargieri
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Bibi Z, Fatima A, Rani R, Maqbool A, Khan S, Naz S, Waseem S. Genetic characterization of Plasmodium vivax isolates from Pakistan using circumsporozoite protein (pvcsp) and merozoite surface protein-1 (pvmsp-1) genes as genetic markers. Malar J 2021; 20:112. [PMID: 33632220 PMCID: PMC7908770 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03654-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium vivax contributes to over 70% malaria burden in Pakistan, but limited data exists on various aspects including genetic diversity of the parasite as compared to other parts of the world. Since the information about the genetic diversity of P. vivax assists to understand the population dynamics of the parasite, the current study was designed to understand population divergence of P. vivax in Pakistan using circumsporozoite protein (pvcsp) and merozoite surface protein-1 (pvmsp-1) genes as molecular markers. Methods The PCR for pvcsp and pvmsp-1 genes was carried out for 150 P. vivax isolates, followed by DNA sequencing of 35 and 30, respectively. Genetic diversity and polymorphism were analysed using ChromasPro, ClustalW, MEGA7, DnaSP v.5 and WebLogo programs. Results The PCR for pvcsp and pvmsp-1 genes was carried out for 150 P. vivax isolates and resulting the PCR products of 1100 bp for pvcsp and ~ 400 bp for pvmsp-1 genes, respectively. In the central-repeat region (CRR) of pvcsp gene, sequences comprised of four variable repeats of PRMs, out of which GDRADGQPA (PRM1), GDRAAGQPA (PRM2) were more extensively dispersed among the P. vivax isolates. Partial sequences (~ 400 bp) of block 2 of pvmsp-1 gene depicted high level of diversity. Conclusion The results revealed the polymorphism and genetic diversity especially at the CRR of pvcsp and block 2 of pvmsp-1 genes, respectively. The base-line data presented here warrants future studies to investigate more into the genetic diversity of P. vivax with large sample size from across the country for better understanding of population dynamics of P. vivax that will help to control malaria at individual and community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Bibi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Anam Fatima
- Department of Medicine, Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rehana Rani
- Department of Life Sciences, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Maqbool
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Samea Khan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shumaila Naz
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Shahid Waseem
- Alpha Genomics (Pvt) Ltd, Islamabad, Pakistan. .,ABO SCIENTIFIC, Dhamial Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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Monteiro EF, Fernandez-Becerra C, Araujo MDS, Messias MR, Ozaki LS, Duarte AMRDC, Bueno MG, Catao-Dias JL, Chagas CRF, Mathias BDS, dos Santos MG, Santos SV, Holcman MM, de Souza JC, Kirchgatter K. Naturally Acquired Humoral Immunity against Malaria Parasites in Non-Human Primates from the Brazilian Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9070525. [PMID: 32610598 PMCID: PMC7399928 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9070525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-human primates (NHPs) have been shown to be infected by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, the etiological agent of malaria in humans, creating potential risks of zoonotic transmission. Plasmodium brasilianum, a parasite species similar to P. malariae of humans, have been described in NHPs from Central and South America, including Brazil. The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), besides being a malaria vaccine candidate, is highly immunogenic. Due to such properties, we tested this protein for the diagnosis of parasite infection. We used recombinant proteins of P. malariae MSP1, as well as of P. falciparum and P. vivax, for the detection of antibodies anti-MSP1 of these parasite species, in the sera of NHPs collected in different regions of Brazil. About 40% of the NHP sera were confirmed as reactive to the proteins of one or more parasite species. A relatively higher number of reactive sera was found in animals from the Atlantic Forest than those from the Amazon region, possibly reflecting the former more intense parasite circulation among NHPs due to their proximity to humans at a higher populational density. The presence of Plasmodium positive NHPs in the surveyed areas, being therefore potential parasite reservoirs, needs to be considered in any malaria surveillance program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Ferreira Monteiro
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05403-000, Brazil; (E.F.M.); (A.M.R.d.C.D.); (B.d.S.M.)
| | - Carmen Fernandez-Becerra
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Germans Trias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute (IGTP), 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Maisa da Silva Araujo
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO 76812-245, Brazil;
| | | | - Luiz Shozo Ozaki
- Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA;
| | - Ana Maria Ribeiro de Castro Duarte
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05403-000, Brazil; (E.F.M.); (A.M.R.d.C.D.); (B.d.S.M.)
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, SP 01027-000, Brazil;
| | - Marina Galvão Bueno
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Jose Luiz Catao-Dias
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil;
| | - Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas
- Departamento de Pesquisas Aplicadas, Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 04301-905, Brazil;
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius 08412, Lithuania
| | - Bruno da Silva Mathias
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05403-000, Brazil; (E.F.M.); (A.M.R.d.C.D.); (B.d.S.M.)
| | - Mayra Gomes dos Santos
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, SP 01311-925, Brazil; (M.G.d.S.); (S.V.S.)
| | - Stéfanie Vanessa Santos
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, São Paulo, SP 01311-925, Brazil; (M.G.d.S.); (S.V.S.)
- Departamento de Anatomia Patológica, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP 01525-001, Brazil
| | - Marcia Moreira Holcman
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, SP 01027-000, Brazil;
| | - Julio Cesar de Souza
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Fundação Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, SC 89012-900, Brazil;
- Projeto Bugio, Centro de Pesquisas Biológicas, Indaial, SC 89130-000, Brazil
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 05403-000, Brazil; (E.F.M.); (A.M.R.d.C.D.); (B.d.S.M.)
- Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, SP 01027-000, Brazil;
- Correspondence:
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Elizardez YB, Fotoran WL, Junior AJG, Curado I, Junior NK, Monteiro EF, Romero Neto I, Wunderlich G, Kirchgatter K. Recombinant proteins of Plasmodium malariae merozoite surface protein 1 (PmMSP1): Testing immunogenicity in the BALB/c model and potential use as diagnostic tool. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219629. [PMID: 31344067 PMCID: PMC6657842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium malariae is the third most prevalent human malaria-causing species and has a patchy, but ample distribution in the world. Humans can host the parasite for years without presenting significant symptoms, turning its diagnosis and control into a difficult task. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of recombinant proteins of P. malariae MSP1. Methods Five regions of PmMSP1 were expressed in Escherichia coli as GST-fusion proteins and immunized in BALB/c mice. The specificity, subtyping, and affinity of raised antibodies were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cellular immune responses were analyzed by lymphoproliferation assays and cytokine levels produced by splenocytes were detected by cytometry. Results We found that N-terminal, central regions, and PmMSP119 are strongly immunogenic in mice. After three doses, the induced immune responses remained high for 70 days. While antibodies induced after immunization with N-terminal and central regions showed similar affinities to the target antigens, affinities of IgG against PmMSP119 were higher. All proteins induced similar antibody subclass patterns (predominantly IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b), characterizing a mixed Th1/Th2 response. Further, autologous stimulation of splenocytes from immunized mice led to the secretion of IL2 and IL4, independently of the antigen used. Importantly, IgG from P. malariae-exposed individuals reacted against PmMSP1 recombinant proteins with a high specificity. On the other hand, sera from P. vivax or P. falciparum-infected individuals did not react at all against recombinant PmMSP1 proteins. Conclusion Recombinant PmMSP1 proteins are very useful diagnostic markers of P. malariae in epidemiological studies or in the differential diagnosis of malaria caused by this species. Immunization with recombinant PmMSP1 proteins resulted in a significant humoral immune response, which may turn them potential component candidates for a vaccine against P. malariae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelina B. Elizardez
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wesley L. Fotoran
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrés J. Galisteo Junior
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Izilda Curado
- Laboratório de Imunoepidemiologia, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norival Kesper Junior
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliana F. Monteiro
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Irineu Romero Neto
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerhard Wunderlich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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9
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Specificity of the IgG antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium ovale MSP1 19 subunit proteins in multiplexed serologic assays. Malar J 2018; 17:417. [PMID: 30413163 PMCID: PMC6230236 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multiplex bead assays (MBA) that measure IgG antibodies to the carboxy-terminal 19-kDa sub-unit of the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) are currently used to determine malaria seroprevalence in human populations living in areas with both stable and unstable transmission. However, the species specificities of the IgG antibody responses to the malaria MSP119 antigens have not been extensively characterized using MBA. Methods Recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (3D7), Plasmodium malariae (China I), Plasmodium ovale (Nigeria I), and Plasmodium vivax (Belem) MSP119 proteins were covalently coupled to beads for MBA. Threshold cut-off values for the assays were estimated using sera from US citizens with no history of foreign travel and by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis using diagnostic samples. Banked sera from experimentally infected chimpanzees, sera from humans from low transmission regions of Haiti and Cambodia (N = 12), and elutions from blood spots from humans selected from a high transmission region of Mozambique (N = 20) were used to develop an antigen competition MBA for antibody cross-reactivity studies. A sub-set of samples was further characterized using antibody capture/elution MBA, IgG subclass determination, and antibody avidity measurement. Results Total IgG antibody responses in experimentally infected chimpanzees were species specific and could be completely suppressed by homologous competitor protein at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. Eleven of 12 samples from the low transmission regions and 12 of 20 samples from the high transmission area had antibody responses that were completely species specific. For 7 additional samples, the P. falciparum MSP119 responses were species specific, but various levels of incomplete heterologous competition were observed for the non-P. falciparum assays. A pan-malaria MSP119 cross-reactive antibody response was observed in elutions of blood spots from two 20–30 years old Mozambique donors. The antibody response from one of these two donors had low avidity and skewed almost entirely to the IgG3 subclass. Conclusions Even when P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax are co-endemic in a high transmission setting, most antibody responses to MSP119 antigens are species-specific and are likely indicative of previous infection history. True pan-malaria cross-reactive responses were found to occur rarely. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2566-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Zhang X, Yao L, Sun J, Pan J, Chen H, Zhang L, Ruan W. Malaria in Southeastern China from 2012 to 2016: Analysis of Imported Cases. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:1107-1112. [PMID: 29488463 PMCID: PMC5928818 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the epidemiological distribution and the incident trends of imported malaria from 2012 to 2016 in Zhejiang Province, southeastern China, we collected data on malaria from the Information System for Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 1,003 malaria cases were reported during 2012–2016, and all of these cases were imported. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species (76.3%) in Zhejiang Province. The percentage of Plasmodium vivax decreased from 33.6% to 8.1%, whereas the percentage of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae increased. Most cases were male (89.8%), mostly in the age group of 21–50 years (82.6%). Businessmen (33.0%), workers (21.0%), farmers (18.8%), and overseas laborers (11.7%) were at high risk. The origin of the largest number of imported cases was Africa (89.5%), followed by Asia (10.0%) and Oceania (0.5%). The time interval from illness onset to confirmation was found to be significantly associated with the complications of patients. Out of 3,461 febrile individuals tested during reactive case detection, 10 malaria-positive individuals were identified. Effective surveillance and response system should be strengthened to prevent the reintroduction of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Linong Yao
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jimin Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Jinren Pan
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Hualiang Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Wei Ruan
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
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11
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Folegatti PM, Siqueira AM, Monteiro WM, Lacerda MVG, Drakeley CJ, Braga ÉM. A systematic review on malaria sero-epidemiology studies in the Brazilian Amazon: insights into immunological markers for exposure and protection. Malar J 2017; 16:107. [PMID: 28270152 PMCID: PMC5341168 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1762-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Considerable success in reducing malaria incidence and mortality has been achieved in Brazil, leading to discussions over the possibility of moving towards elimination. However, more than reporting and counting clinical cases, elimination will require the use of efficient tools and strategies for measuring transmission dynamics and detecting the infectious reservoir as the primary indicators of interest for surveillance and evaluation. Because acquisition and maintenance of anti-malarial antibodies depend on parasite exposure, seroprevalence rates could be used as a reliable tool for assessing malaria endemicity and an adjunct measure for monitoring transmission in a rapid and cost-effective manner. Methods This systematic review synthesizes the existing literature on seroprevalence of malaria in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Different study designs (cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal studies) with reported serological results in well-defined Brazilian populations were considered. Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE and LILACS databases were screened and the articles were included per established selection criteria. Data extraction was performed by two authors and a modified critical appraisal tool was applied to assess the quality and completeness of cross-sectional studies regarding defined variables of interest. Results From 220 single records identified, 23 studies were included in this systematic review for the qualitative synthesis. Five studies reported serology results on Plasmodium falciparum, 14 papers assessed Plasmodium vivax and four articles reported results on both Plasmodium species. Considerable heterogeneity among the evaluated malarial antigens, including sporozoite and blood stage antigens, was observed. The majority of recent studies analysed IgG responses against P. vivax antigens reflecting the species distribution pattern in Brazil over the last decades. Most of the published papers were cross-sectional surveys (73.9%) and only six cohort studies were included in this review. Three studies pointed to an association between antibodies against circumsporozoite protein of both P. falciparum and P. vivax and malaria exposure. Furthermore, five out 13 cross-sectional studies evidenced a positive association between IgG antibodies to the conserved 19-kDa C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein 1 of P. vivax (PvMSP119) and malaria exposure. Conclusions This systematic review identifies potential biomarkers of P. falciparum and P. vivax exposure in areas with variable and unstable malaria transmission in Brazil. However, this study highlights the need for standardization of further studies to provide an ideal monitoring tool to evaluate trends in malaria transmission and the effectiveness of malaria intervention programmes in Brazil. Moreover, the score-based weighted tool developed and used in this study still requires further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Folegatti
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - André M Siqueira
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Wuelton M Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil.,Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinícius G Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil.,Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Chris J Drakeley
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Érika M Braga
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK. .,Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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12
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Li P, Zhao Z, Xing H, Li W, Zhu X, Cao Y, Yang Z, Sattabongkot J, Yan G, Fan Q, Cui L. Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale infections in the China-Myanmar border area. Malar J 2016; 15:557. [PMID: 27846879 PMCID: PMC5111346 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1605-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Greater Mekong Subregion is aiming to achieve regional malaria elimination by 2030. Though a shift in malaria parasite species predominance by Plasmodium vivax has been recently documented, the transmission of the two minor Plasmodium species, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale spp., is poorly characterized in the region. This study aims to determine the prevalence of these minor species in the China–Myanmar border area and their genetic diversity. Methods Epidemiology study was conducted during passive case detection in hospitals and clinics in Myanmar and four counties in China along the China–Myanmar border. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in villages and camps for internally displaced persons to determine the prevalence of malaria infections. Malaria infections were diagnosed initially by microscopy and later in the laboratory using nested PCR for the SSU rRNA genes. Plasmodium malariae and P. ovale infections were confirmed by sequencing the PCR products. The P. ovale subtypes were determined by sequencing the Pocytb, Pocox1 and Pog3p genes. Parasite populations were evaluated by PCR amplification and sequencing of the MSP-1 genes. Antifolate sensitivity was assessed by sequencing the dhfr-ts and dhps genes from the P. malariae and P. ovale isolates. Results Analysis of 2701 blood samples collected from the China–Myanmar border by nested PCR targeting the parasite SSU rRNA genes identified 561 malaria cases, including 161 Plasmodium falciparum, 327 P. vivax, 66 P. falciparum/P. vivax mixed infections, 4 P. malariae and 3 P. ovale spp. P. vivax and P. falciparum accounted for >60 and ~30% of all malaria cases, respectively. In comparison, the prevalence of P. malariae and P. ovale spp. was very low and only made up ~1% of all PCR-positive cases. Nevertheless, these two species were often misidentified as P. vivax infections or completely missed by microscopy even among symptomatic patients. Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rRNA, Pocytb, Pocox1 and Pog3p genes confirmed that the three P. ovale spp. isolates belonged to the subtype P. ovale curtisi. Low-level genetic diversity was detected in the MSP-1, dhfr and dhps genes of these minor parasite species, potentially stemming from the low prevalence of these parasites preventing their mixing. Whereas most of the dhfr and dhps positions equivalent to those conferring antifolate resistance in P. falciparum and P. vivax were wild type, a new mutation S113C corresponding to the S108 position in pfdhfr was identified in two P. ovale curtisi isolates. Conclusions The four human malaria parasite species all occurred sympatrically at the China–Myanmar border. While P. vivax has become the predominant species, the two minor parasite species also occurred at very low prevalence but were often misidentified or missed by conventional microscopy. These minor parasite species displayed low levels of polymorphisms in the msp-1, dhfr and dhps genes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-016-1605-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Li
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhenjun Zhao
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Hua Xing
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenli Li
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhaoqing Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | | | - Guiyun Yan
- University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Qi Fan
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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13
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Cao Y, Wang W, Liu Y, Cotter C, Zhou H, Zhu G, Tang J, Tang F, Lu F, Xu S, Gu Y, Zhang C, Li J, Cao J. The increasing importance of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae in a malaria elimination setting: an observational study of imported cases in Jiangsu Province, China, 2011-2014. Malar J 2016; 15:459. [PMID: 27604629 PMCID: PMC5015233 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1504-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Following initiation of China’s National Malaria Elimination Action Plan in 2010, indigenous malaria infections in Jiangsu Province decreased significantly. Meanwhile imported Plasmodium infections have increased substantially, particularly Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae. Given the risk for malaria resurgence, there is an urgent need to understand the increase in imported P. ovale and P. malariae infections as China works to achieve national malaria elimination. Methods An observational study of imported malaria cases in Jiangsu Province, China was carried out for the period of 2011–2014. Results A total of 1268 malaria cases were reported in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2014. Although imported Plasmodium falciparum cases (n = 1058) accounted for 83.4 % of all reported cases in Jiangsu, P. ovale cases (14, 19, 30, and 46) and their proportion (3.7, 9.6, 8.8, and 13.0 %) of all malaria cases increased over the 4 years. Similarly, P. malariae cases (seven, two, nine, and 10) and proportion (1.9, 1.0, 2.6, and 2.8 %) of all malaria cases increased slightly during this time. A total of 98 cases of Plasmodium ovale curtisi (47/98, 48 %) and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri (51/98, 52 %) were identified as well. Latency periods were significant among these Plasmodium infections (p = 0.00). Also, this study found that the latency periods of P. ovale sp., P. malariae and Plasmodium vivax were significantly longer than P. falciparum. However, for both P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri infections, the latency period analysis was not significant (p = 0.81). Misdiagnosis of both P. ovale and P. malariae was greater than 71.5 and 71.4 %, respectively. The P. ovale cases were misdiagnosed as P. falciparum (35 cases, 32.1 %), P. vivax (43 cases, 39.4 %) by lower levels of CDCs or hospitals. And, the P. malariae cases were misdiagnosed as P. falciparum (ten cases, 35.7 %), P. vivax (nine cases, 32.1 %) and P. ovale sp. (one case, 3.6 %). Geographic distribution of imported P. ovale sp. and P. malariae cases in Jiangsu Province mainly originated from sub-Saharan Africa such as Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, and Angola. Conclusions Although the vast majority of imported malaria cases were due to P. falciparum, the increase in other rare Plasmodium species originating from sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia should be closely monitored at all levels of health providers focusing on diagnosis and treatment of malaria. In addition to a receptive vector environment, long latency periods and misdiagnosis of P. malariae and P. ovale sp. increase the risk of re-introduction of malaria in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Cao
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiming Wang
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaobao Liu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chris Cotter
- Malaria Elimination Initiative, Global Health Group, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Huayun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoding Zhu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxia Tang
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Tang
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Lu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Sui Xu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaping Gu
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Julin Li
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Cao
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Public Health Research Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Limited Polymorphism of the Kelch Propeller Domain in Plasmodium malariae and P. ovale Isolates from Thailand. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:4055-62. [PMID: 27114275 PMCID: PMC4914644 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00138-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, the agent of severe malaria, is currently a major obstacle to malaria control in Southeast Asia. A gene named "kelch13" has been associated with artemisinin resistance in P. falciparum The orthologue of the kelch gene in P. vivax was identified and a small number of mutations were found in previous studies. The kelch orthologues in the other two human malaria parasites, P. malariae and P. ovale, have not yet been studied. Therefore, in this study, the orthologous kelch genes of P. malariae, P. ovale wallikeri, and P. ovale curtisi were isolated and analyzed for the first time. The homologies of the kelch genes of P. malariae and P. ovale were 84.8% and 82.7%, respectively, compared to the gene in P. falciparum kelch polymorphisms were studied in 13 P. malariae and 5 P. ovale isolates from Thailand. There were 2 nonsynonymous mutations found in these samples. One mutation was P533L, which was found in 1 of 13 P. malariae isolates, and the other was K137R, found in 1 isolate of P. ovale wallikeri (n = 4). This result needs to be considered in the context of widespread artemisinin used within the region; their functional consequences for artemisinin sensitivity in P. malariae and P. ovale will need to be elucidated.
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15
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Seroepidemiology of Plasmodium species infections in Zimbabwean population. Malar J 2016; 15:267. [PMID: 27165412 PMCID: PMC4863323 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1325-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals living in malaria-endemic regions may be exposed to more than one Plasmodium species; there is paucity of data on the distribution of the different species of Plasmodium in affected populations, in part due to the diagnostic method of microscopy, which cannot easily differentiate between the species. Sero-epidemiological data can overcome some of the shortcomings of microscopy. METHODS The specificity of IgG antibodies to recombinant merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-119) derived from four human Plasmodium species (Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale) was investigated using competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subsequently, these antigens were used to determine the exposure prevalence to the different Plasmodium species in serum samples of participants. One-hundred individuals, aged five-18 years, from each of the three Plasmodium meso-endemic Zimbabwean villages (Burma Valley, Mutoko, Chiredzi) were recruited in the study. RESULTS The study demonstrated that the host serum reactivity to MSP-119 antigens was species-specific and that no cross-reactivity occurred. The overall prevalence of antibody response to MSP-119 antigens was 61 % in Burma Valley, 31 % in Mutoko and 32 % in Chiredzi. Single species IgG responses to MSP-119 were most frequent against P. falciparum, followed by P. malariae and P. ovale, with responses to P. vivax being the least prevalent. Interestingly, 78-87 and 50 % of sera with IgG responses to P. malariae and P. ovale MSP-119, respectively, also had IgG specific response for P. falciparum MSP-119 antigens, indicating that exposure to these species is a common occurrence in these populations. Single species IgG responses to the non-falciparum species were at a very low frequency, ranging between 0 and 13 % for P. malariae. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence of a higher exposure to the non-falciparum parasite species than previously reported in Zimbabwe. The recombinant MSP-119 antigens could be used as additional diagnostic tools in antibody assays for the detection of exposure to the different Plasmodium species. The results also introduce an interesting concept of the co-infection of non-falciparum Plasmodium almost always with P. falciparum, which requires further validation and mechanistic studies.
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Guimarães LO, Wunderlich G, Alves JMP, Bueno MG, Röhe F, Catão-Dias JL, Neves A, Malafronte RS, Curado I, Domingues W, Kirchgatter K. Merozoite surface protein-1 genetic diversity in Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium brasilianum from Brazil. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:529. [PMID: 26572971 PMCID: PMC4647813 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) gene encodes the major surface antigen of invasive forms of the Plasmodium erythrocytic stages and is considered a candidate vaccine antigen against malaria. Due to its polymorphisms, MSP1 is also useful for strain discrimination and consists of a good genetic marker. Sequence diversity in MSP1 has been analyzed in field isolates of three human parasites: P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. ovale. However, the extent of variation in another human parasite, P. malariae, remains unknown. This parasite shows widespread, uneven distribution in tropical and subtropical regions throughout South America, Asia, and Africa. Interestingly, it is genetically indistinguishable from P. brasilianum, a parasite known to infect New World monkeys in Central and South America. Methods Specific fragments (1 to 5) covering 60 % of the MSP1 gene (mainly the putatively polymorphic regions), were amplified by PCR in isolates of P. malariae and P. brasilianum from different geographic origin and hosts. Sequencing of the PCR-amplified products or cloned PCR fragments was performed and the sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree by the maximum likelihood method. Data were computed to give insights into the evolutionary and phylogenetic relationships of these parasites. Results Except for fragment 4, sequences from all other fragments consisted of unpublished sequences. The most polymorphic gene region was fragment 2, and in samples where this region lacks polymorphism, all other regions are also identical. The low variability of the P. malariae msp1 sequences of these isolates and the identification of the same haplotype in those collected many years apart at different locations is compatible with a low transmission rate. We also found greater diversity among P. brasilianum isolates compared with P. malariae ones. Lastly, the sequences were segregated according to their geographic origins and hosts, showing a strong genetic and geographic structure. Conclusions Our data show that there is a low level of sequence diversity and a possible absence of allelic dimorphism of MSP1 in these parasites as opposed to other Plasmodium species. P. brasilianum strains apparently show greater divergence in comparison to P. malariae, thus P. malariae could derive from P. brasilianum, as it has been proposed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1238-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian O Guimarães
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Gerhard Wunderlich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - João M P Alves
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Marina G Bueno
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Fabio Röhe
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22461-000, Brazil.
| | - José L Catão-Dias
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Neves
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Rosely S Malafronte
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil. .,Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 01246-903, Brazil.
| | - Izilda Curado
- Laboratório de Imunoepidemiologia, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, SP, 01027-000, Brazil.
| | - Wilson Domingues
- Laboratório de Soroepidemiologia e Imunobiologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
| | - Karin Kirchgatter
- Núcleo de Estudos em Malária, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias/Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.
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17
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Xia H, Fang Q, Jangpatarapongsa K, Zhiyong T, Cui L, Li B, Udomsangpetch R. A comparative study of natural immune responses against Plasmodium vivax C-terminal merozoite surface protein-1 (PvMSP-1) and apical membrane antigen-1 (PvAMA-1) in two endemic settings. EXCLI JOURNAL 2015; 14:926-34. [PMID: 26713085 PMCID: PMC4677636 DOI: 10.17179/excli2015-388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms of cellular and humoral immune responses against P. vivax parasite remain poorly understood. Several malaria immunological studies have been conducted in endemic regions where both P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites co-exist. In this study, a comparative analysis of immunity to Plasmodium vivax antigens in different geography and incidence of Plasmodium spp. infection was performed. We characterised antibodies against two P. vivax antigens, PvMSP-1 and PvAMA-1, and the cross-reactivity between these antigens using plasma from acute malaria infected patients living in the central region of China and in the western border of Thailand. P. vivax endemicity is found in central China whereas both P. vivax and P. falciparum are endemic in Thailand. There was an increased level of anti-PvMSP-1/anti-PvAMA-1 in both populations. An elevated level of antibodies to total P. vivax proteins and low level of antibodies to total P. falciparum proteins was found in acute P. vivax infected Chinese, suggesting antibody cross-reactivity between the two species. P. vivax infected Thai patients had both anti-P. vivax and anti-P. falciparum antibodies as expected since both species are present in Thailand. More information on humoral and cell mediated immunity during acute P. vivax-infection in the area where only single P. vivax species existed is of great interest in the relation of building up anti-disease severity caused by P. falciparum. This knowledge will support vaccine development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xia
- Department of Parasitology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China ; Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity at Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Qiang Fang
- Department of Parasitology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China ; Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity at Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Kulachart Jangpatarapongsa
- Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand ; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Tao Zhiyong
- Department of Parasitology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA
| | - Baiqing Li
- Department of Immunology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Rachanee Udomsangpetch
- Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
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18
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Doderer-Lang C, Atchade PS, Meckert L, Haar E, Perrotey S, Filisetti D, Aboubacar A, Pfaff AW, Brunet J, Chabi NW, Akpovi CD, Anani L, Bigot A, Sanni A, Candolfi E. The ears of the African elephant: unexpected high seroprevalence of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae in healthy populations in Western Africa. Malar J 2014; 13:240. [PMID: 24946685 PMCID: PMC4071337 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria Is A Life-Threatening Pathology In Africa. Plasmodium Falciparum And Plasmodium Vivax Attract The Most Focus Because Of Their High Prevalence And Mortality. Knowledge About The Prevalence Of The Cryptic Pathogens Plasmodium Ovale And Plasmodium Malariae Is Limited. Thanks To Recombinant Tools, Their Seroprevalence Was Measured For The First Time, As Well As The Prevalence Of Mixed Infections In A Malaria-Asymptomatic Population In Benin, A Malaria-Endemic Country. Methods A Panel Of 1,235 Blood Donations Collected Over Ten Months In Benin Was Used For Validation Of The Recombinant Tools. Recombinant P. Falciparum, P. Malariae, P. Ovale MSP1, And P. Falciparum AMA1 Were Engineered And Validated On A Biobank With Malaria-Infected Patients (N = 144) Using A Species-Speific ELISA Test (Recelisa). Results Were Compared To An ELISA Using A Native P. Falciparum Antigen (NatELISA). Results Among Microscopically Negative African Blood Donors, 85% (1,050/1,235) Present Antibodies Directed To Native P. Falciparum, 94.4% (1,166/1,235) To rPfMSP1 And rPfAMA1, 56.8% (702/1,235) To rPoMSP1, 67.5% (834/1235) To rPmMSP1 And 45.3% Of The Malaria Seropositive Population Had Antibodies Recognizing The Three Species. Conclusion A High Rate Of Antibodies Against P. Ovale And P. Malariae Was Found In Asymptomatic Blood Donors. The Proportion Of Mixed Infections Involving Three Species Was Also Unexpected. These Data Suggest That Determining Seroprevalence For These Cryptic Species Is An Appropriate Tool To Estimate Their Incidence, At The Eve Of Upcoming Anti-P. Falciparum Vaccination Campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Doderer-Lang
- Institut de Parasitologie et de Pathologie Tropicale Université de Strasbourg, 3, Rue Koeberlé, F67000 Strasbourg, France.
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19
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Hellgren O, Kutzer M, Bensch S, Valkiūnas G, Palinauskas V. Identification and characterization of the merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1) gene in a host-generalist avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium relictum (lineages SGS1 and GRW4) with the use of blood transcriptome. Malar J 2013; 12:381. [PMID: 24172200 PMCID: PMC3827925 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1) is one of the most studied vaccine candidate genes in mammalian Plasmodium spp. to have been used for investigations of epidemiology, population structures, and immunity to infections. However methodological difficulties have impeded the use of nuclear markers such as msp1 in Plasmodium parasites causing avian malaria. Data from an infection transcriptome of the host generalist avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum was used to identify and characterize the msp1 gene from two different isolates (mtDNA lineages SGS1 and GRW4). The aim was to investigate whether the msp1 gene in avian malaria species shares the properties of the msp1 gene in Plasmodium falciparum in terms of block variability, conserved anchor points and repeat motifs, and further to investigate the degree to which the gene might be informative in avian malaria parasites for population and epidemiological studies. Methods Reads from 454 sequencing of birds infected with avian malaria was used to develop Sanger sequencing protocols for the msp1 gene of P. relictum. Genetic variability between variable and conserved blocks of the gene was compared within and between avian malaria parasite species, including P. falciparum. Genetic variability of the msp1 gene in P. relictum was compared with six other nuclear genes and the mtDNA gene cytochrome b. Results The msp1 gene of P. relictum shares the same general pattern of variable and conserved blocks as found in P. falciparum, although the variable blocks exhibited less variability than P. falciparum. The variation across the gene blocks in P. falciparum spanned from being as conserved as within species variation in P. relictum to being as variable as between the two avian malaria species (P. relictum and Plasmodium gallinaceum) in the variable blocks. In P. relictum the highly conserved p19 region of the peptide was identified, which included two epidermal growth factor-like domains and a fully conserved GPI anchor point. Conclusion This study provides protocols for evaluation of the msp1 gene in the avian malaria generalist parasite P. relictum. The msp1 gene in avian Plasmodium shares the genetic properties seen in P. falciparum, indicating evolutionary conserved functions for the gene. The data on the variable blocks of the gene show that the msp1 gene in P. relictum might serve as a good candidate gene for future population and epidemiological studies of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Hellgren
- MEEL Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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20
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Putaporntip C, Hughes AL, Jongwutiwes S. Low level of sequence diversity at merozoite surface protein-1 locus of Plasmodium ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri from Thai isolates. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58962. [PMID: 23536840 PMCID: PMC3594193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) is a candidate target for the development of blood stage vaccines against malaria. Polymorphism in MSP-1 can be useful as a genetic marker for strain differentiation in malarial parasites. Although sequence diversity in the MSP-1 locus has been extensively analyzed in field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, the extent of variation in its homologues in P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri, remains unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences of 10 P. ovale isolates from symptomatic malaria patients from diverse endemic areas of Thailand revealed co-existence of P. ovale curtisi (n = 5) and P. ovale wallikeri (n = 5). Direct sequencing of the PCR-amplified products encompassing the entire coding region of MSP-1 of P. ovale curtisi (PocMSP-1) and P. ovale wallikeri (PowMSP-1) has identified 3 imperfect repeated segments in the former and one in the latter. Most amino acid differences between these proteins were located in the interspecies variable domains of malarial MSP-1. Synonymous nucleotide diversity (πS) exceeded nonsynonymous nucleotide diversity (πN) for both PocMSP-1 and PowMSP-1, albeit at a non-significant level. However, when MSP-1 of both these species was considered together, πS was significantly greater than πN (p<0.0001), suggesting that purifying selection has shaped diversity at this locus prior to speciation. Phylogenetic analysis based on conserved domains has placed PocMSP-1 and PowMSP-1 in a distinct bifurcating branch that probably diverged from each other around 4.5 million years ago. Conclusion/Significance The MSP-1 sequences support that P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri are distinct species. Both species are sympatric in Thailand. The low level of sequence diversity in PocMSP-1 and PowMSP-1 among Thai isolates could stem from persistent low prevalence of these species, limiting the chance of outcrossing at this locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaturong Putaporntip
- Molecular Biology of Malaria and Opportunistic Parasites Research Unit, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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21
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Yamasaki T, Duarte AMRC, Curado I, Summa MEL, Neves DVDA, Wunderlich G, Malafronte RS. Detection of etiological agents of malaria in howler monkeys from Atlantic Forests, rescued in regions of São Paulo city, Brazil. J Med Primatol 2011; 40:392-400. [PMID: 21933192 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2011.00498.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In some states of the Brazilian extra-Amazonian region, such as the Atlantic Forest area, autochthonous human cases of malaria were related to simian malarias and vice versa. METHODS To verify the presence of Plasmodium, 50 blood samples of howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) rescued from the Metropolitan Region of Saõ Paulo city, where the Atlantic Forest is present, were analyzed. The samples were submitted to microscopy (thin and thick blood smears), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS Only one smear showed forms reminiscent of Plasmodium vivax. In ELISA, the frequencies of antibodies against synthetic peptides corresponding to circumsporozoite protein of P. vivax VK210 'classic' (Pvc), P. vivax VK247, human P. vivax-like (Pvk and Pvl), P. malariae/P. brasilianum (Pm), and P. falciparum (Pf) were 24.0% (12/50) for Pvc, 8.0% (04/50) for Pvk, 6.0% (03/50) for Pvl, 24.0% (12/50) for Pm, and 28.0% (14/50) for Pf, while the frequency of antibodies against PvMSP119 recombinant proteins was 42.0% (21/50). No serum reacted against PfMSP1-19. In IFA,the seropositivity of antibodies against asexual forms of P. malariae was 31.3% (15/48). We utilized three PCR protocols to develop a molecular consensus (positive results in, at least, two protocols). The frequency of Plasmodium infections detected by PCR was 18.0% (09/50) for P. vivax, 4.0% (02/50) for P. malariae, and 76.0% (38/50) of samples were negative. The molecular consensus was not seen in 4.0% (02/50) of samples. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a possible interaction between human and simian malaria coming from a zoonotic cycle cannot be discarded because simians that live in the areas of the Atlantic Forest could play a role as a reservoir for Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasciane Yamasaki
- Laboratório de Protozoologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Candida albicans and Candida glabrata are the two most common opportunistic pathogens which are part of the normal flora in humans. Clinical diagnosis of infection by these organisms is still largely based on culturing of these organisms. In order to identify species-specific protein expression patterns, we carried out a comparative proteomic analysis of C. albicans and C. glabrata.
Methods
We used “isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation” (iTRAQ) labeling of cell homogenates of C. albicans and C. glabrata followed by LC-MS/MS analysis using a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The MS/MS data was searched against a protein database comprised of known and predicted proteins reported from these two organisms. Subsequently, we carried out a bioinformatics analysis to group orthologous proteins across C. albicans and C. glabrata and calculated protein abundance changes between the two species.
Results and Conclusions
We identified 500 proteins from these organisms, the large majority of which corresponded to predicted transcripts. A number of proteins were observed to be significantly differentially expressed between the two species including enolase (Eno1), fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (Fba1), CCT ring complex subunit (Cct2), pyruvate kinase (Cdc19), and pyruvate carboxylase (Pyc2). This study illustrates a strategy for investigating protein expression patterns across closely related organisms by combining orthology information with quantitative proteomics.
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Detection of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae merozoite surface protein 1-p19 antibodies in human malaria patients and experimentally infected nonhuman primates. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2010; 17:1631-8. [PMID: 20702658 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00196-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 3.2 billion people live in areas where malaria is endemic, and WHO estimates that 350 to 500 million malaria cases occur each year worldwide. This high prevalence, and the high frequency of international travel, creates significant risk for the exportation of malaria to countries where malaria is not endemic and for the introduction of malaria organisms into the blood supply. Since all four human infectious Plasmodium species have been transmitted by blood transfusion, we sought to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) capable of detecting antibodies elicited by infection with any of these species. The merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), a P. falciparum and P. vivax vaccine candidate with a well-characterized immune response, was selected for use in the assay. The MSP1 genes from P. ovale and P. malariae were cloned and sequenced (L. Birkenmeyer, A. S. Muerhoff, G. Dawson, and S. M. Desai, Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 82:996-1003, 2010), and the carboxyl-terminal p19 regions of all four species were expressed in Escherichia coli. Performance results from individual p19 ELISAs were compared to those of a commercial test (Lab 21 Healthcare Malaria enzyme immunoassay [EIA]). The commercial ELISA detected all malaria patients with P. falciparum or P. vivax infections, as did the corresponding species-specific p19 ELISAs. However, the commercial ELISA detected antibodies in 0/2 and 5/8 individuals with P. malariae and P. ovale infections, respectively, while the p19 assays detected 100% of individuals with confirmed P. malariae or P. ovale infections. In experimentally infected nonhuman primates, the use of MSP1-p19 antigens from all four species resulted in the detection of antibodies within 2 to 10 weeks postinfection. Use of MSP1-p19 antigens from all four Plasmodium species in a single immunoassay would provide significantly improved efficacy compared to existing tests.
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