Background

Drug resistance to anti-malarial is a major public health problem in malaria endemic countries, even with reduction in malaria cases and deaths, it is estimated that 229 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2019 leading to an estimated—409,000 deaths globally [1]. Despite the significant decline in malaria morbidity and mortality over 15 years (2000–2015), a total of 413,533 confirmed malaria cases were reported in 2019 out of which 87,169 were confirmed Plasmodium falciparum in Pakistan [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), first-line recommended treatment in Pakistan for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria infections was artesunate plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS + SP) due to high prevalence of chloroquine resistance in P. falciparum isolates [2].

This treatment policy has been recently revised to artemether-lumefantrine + primaquine for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria [1]. Rapid emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance in P. falciparum is however of great concern. Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin is firmly established in five countries in the Greater Mekong Sub region: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam [3, 4].

Spread of artemisinin resistance in P. falciparum requires effective molecular surveillance of artemisinin resistance. Recently, polymorphisms in the k-13 propeller gene in P. falciparum have been found to be a useful marker for artemisinin resistance. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the k13 region are associated with delayed parasite clearance, both in vivo and in vitro and significantly associated day 3 positive parasitaemia [3, 4]. More than 200 mutations in k13 gene, including 108 non-synonymous variants have been reported globally [5].

Polymorphisms at nineteen loci in k13 propeller gene (k13) reported from southeast Asia became a molecular signature of artemisinin resistance [6, 7]. Variants at position F446I, N485Y, Y493H, R539T, P574L and C580Y were responsible for delayed parasite clearance in patients treated with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and are, therefore, important determinants of artemisinin resistance [8, 9]. Further, genome wide association studies (GWAS) confirmed that these mutations demonstrate independent emergence at multiple geographical locations thus needs large-scale molecular surveillance [10, 11].

k13 SNPs associated with artemisinin resistance from the China-Myanmar border, India, Bangladesh and some African countries have been reported [4, 10, 12,13,14]. Various non-synonymous variants associated with delayed parasite clearance have been reported from Africa in low frequencies [5]. A578S is the most common non-synonymous mutation found in parasites from five countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Western Kenya and Equatorial Guinea [15]. A578S mutation was present with a prevalence of > 1% and located close to the C580Y mutation [10].

There is a paucity of data on molecular markers of artemisinin resistance in P. falciparum from Pakistan. Therefore, rapid molecular surveillance of parasite populations for artemisnin resistance can help to inform the selection of drugs by control programmes. As an adjunct to in vivo drug efficacy studies, large-scale molecular surveillance of drug resistance markers is needed urgently in Pakistan. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic polymorphisms in k13 propeller of P. falciparum associated with artemisinin resistance from Southern Pakistan. Molecular data collected from malaria-endemic regions will help in understanding the presence of variants in k13 propeller gene associated with delayed parasite clearance in P. falciparum. The study reports k13 propeller SNPs and Pfmdr1 gene copy number variation in P. falciparum malaria cases from Southern Pakistan.

Methods

Study setting, participants and ethics

The study was conducted between June 2015–2018 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, a tertiary hospital located in central Karachi, and its established chain of primary health care and diagnostic service centers located in Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, Pakistan. In the study area, malaria transmission peaks during and after the monsoon season that lasts from June to October. Patients with microscopy confirmed P. falciparum mono-infection were eligible for enrolment irrespective of age, gender and disease severity.

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice [16]. Informed consent was obtained from all participants or in case of children from their parents/legal guardians. The study was approved by the ethical review committee of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Blood collection and microscopy

Two ml of intravenous blood were collected in an EDTA tube from all patients suspected of malaria referred to the laboratory for investigation of malaria infection. For screening purposes, a thick blood film was prepared and analysed using Leishman stain according to routine laboratory practice. In case of a positive screening result, a thick and thin Giemsa-stained blood film was prepared for confirmation of the presence of malaria parasites and species identification. For all patients with confirmed P. falciparum mono-infection the parasite density was assessed by counting asexual parasites against 200 white blood cells (WBC) on the thick film and quantified (parasites/µl) by assuming an average of 8000 WBC per μl blood [17]. All blood slides were examined by experienced microscopist at the clinical laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital. For quality control, 10% of the blood slides were re-examined by an independent microscopist unaware of the initial result.

The remaining blood was transferred to cryovials and kept frozen at −80ºC until used for DNA extraction. A brief epidemiological and demographic history was also collected from each participant using a structured questionnaire.

DNA extraction and PCR genotyping of k13 propeller domain

DNA was extracted using Qiamp DNA mini Kits (Qiagen, USA) from 200 µl of whole blood as per manufacturer’s instructions. Extracted DNA was stored at – 20 °C until amplified by PCR.

The k13 propeller domain was amplified by nested PCR described elsewhere [4]. Briefly, using the following primers: for the primary PCR (kelch-out-f 5′CGGAGTG ACCAAATCTGGGA-3′ and kelch-out-r 5′GGGAATCTGGTGGTAACAGC-3′) and the nested PCR (kelch-in1-r 5′GCCTTGTTGAAAGAAGCAGA-3′, kelch-in1-f 5′-GCCAAGCTGCCATTCATTTG-3′ kelch-in-f_5′CGCCAGCATTGTTGACTAAT-3′ and kelch-in-r 5′GCGGAAGTAGTAGCGAGAAT-3′). The size of nested PCR products were 1312 and 849 bp corresponding to nucleotide 101–1412 and 1279–2127 (representing codons 427–709) of PF3D7_1343700. k13 propeller domain representing codons 427–709 included variants related to delayed parasite clearance. PCR products were resolved on 2% agarose gels (Amresco, Solon, OH) visualized under UV transillumination (GelDoc®, Biorad, Hercules, CA, USA) (Additional file 1).

Secondary PCR products were purified by ExoSAP-IT (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and sequenced commercially (Macrogen Inc. Seoul, Korea). The primers for sequencing were same with those of nested PCR.

Pfmdr1 gene copy number variation polymorphism was determined using real time PCR (ABI Prism® 7500) as previously described [18]. All samples were run in duplicates. The clones, 3D7 and K1 were used as single copy calibrators and FCB and Dd2 represented multiple copy controls. Pfmdr1 copy numbers were calculated using a comparative threshold method (ΔΔCt method).

Statistical analyses

Data were entered, validated and analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software version 10 was used to analyse the sequences using the 3D7 clone sequence (PF3D7_1343700 K13) obtained from NCBI database as a reference [19] (Additional file 2). SNP proportions were calculated as the number carrying a certain resistant allele divided by the number of samples with positive PCR outcome.

Results

A total of 1016 patients with malaria were included in this study and two hundred and forty-nine were microscopy and PCR confirmed for P. falciparum mono-infection, remaining were confirmed as P. vivax malaria. Patients from all age groups were infected and there was no significant difference among pediatrics and adult population. The demographic of the patients are presented in Table 1. A total of 241 (97%) sequence from k13 propeller PCR products were obtained. K13 propeller gene sequences from study isolates were compared with the reference 3D7 strain (PF3D7_1343700) retrieved from Gene bank.

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of enrolled patients
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Substitutions at positions Y493H, F446I, R539T, R561H, P574L and C580Y were not detected in this study isolates. M476I was observed in was observed in 3 isolates none of the patients had history of travel and recovered from malaria post treatment. C469Y was observed in one isolate. Nonsynonymous novel mutations at positions T508N and S577L were observed in 12 (5%) and 13 (5%) isolates, respectively. These novel mutations were associated with delayed parasite clearance or treatment failures in the study subject. Low frequency of K189T mutation outside k13 propeller region was reported in this study (Table 2). No k13 propeller validated variants were detected at positions F446I, Y493H, G538V, R539T, P553L, R561H, V568G, P574L, C580Y and A675V in this study. Double mutations were not observed in any isolate, all the samples tested showed single k13 variant. The most common k13 haplotype based on globally reported 19 SNPs was wild type in this study. The wild type haplotype defined as FGNSCAFLYGPEPACVEAA at amino acid positions 446, 450, 458, 459, 469, 481, 483, 492, 519, 533, 556, 574, 578, 580, 581, 668, 675 and 676. Amplification in pfmdr1 gene copy number was not observed in the study isolates.

Table 2 Frequency of k13 propeller variants observed in this study
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Discussion

This study reports survey of k13 propeller polymorphisms in P. falciparum from southern Pakistan majority of samples were from metropolitan of Karachi with a population of more than 16 million. Candidate variants in the k13 gene N458Y, F466I, Y493H, R539T, P574L and C580Y, which were associated with delayed parasite clearance and prolonged ex vivo parasite survival in Southeast Asia were not observed [4, 8].

K189T is a common mutation observed in upstream region of k13 gene. It has not been associated with artemisnin resistant clinical phenotype [14, 20]. Low proportion of K189T was found in this study. Low frequencies of K189T has also been reported from Bangladesh and China-Myanmar border in comparison to a higher prevalence in Africa. In addition, K189T mutation was reported from India with a comparatively higher frequency, however no correlation with artemisnin resistance was observed [21].

Low frequency of M476I with no clinical evidence of artemisnin resistance was observed in this study. M476I variant has been associated with artemisinin tolerance in vitro in the Tanzanian parasite population and is a validated marker of artemisinin resistance. This finding is alarming and suggest that larger scale monitoring may be urgently required. These variants in k13 gene have also previously been reported from southern Myanmar, South Vietnam, Bangladesh and India [14, 22]. C469Y is known to be associated with artemisinin tolerance from China-Myanmar border and Uganda is reported in one isolate in this study [3, 23].

Variants associated with artemisnin resistance in South East Asia were not detected in Africa suggesting independent origin of mutation in different regions [10, 24, 25]. V566I and A578S are most notable of seven unique nonsynonymous variants reported from sub-Saharan Africa which were not observed in Southeast Asia [26]. A578S has been commonly reported from Africa, India and Bangladesh with no clinical evidence of artemisinin resistance [5, 21].

F466I, Y493H, R539T, P574L and C580Y variants have reached intermediate to fixation status in South East Asia and China where currently artemisinin resistance is confined. These variants confer resistance in an artemisinin-resistant parasite line selected in the laboratory and are associated with delayed parasite clearance in clinical isolates [4, 27]. F446I which is highly prevalent in China-Myanmar and Northern Myanmar and has been associated with prolonged parasite clearance recently was not reported in this study [28, 29]. C580Y is highly prevalent in Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. The frequency of the C580Y allele increased significantly in two western provinces of Cambodia and it became near fixation in these areas. Association of N458Y with artemisinin resistance was inconsistently reported from the Thai- Myanmar border region. Y493H and C580Yvariants reportedly originating from Cambodia have subsequently spread throughout Vietnam [6].

Single nucleotide polymorphism in k13 conferring drug resistance have emerged independently and differ regionally [4, 10]. In recent study it has been noted that validated and candidate k13 mutation may not confer artemisinin resistance in isolation but would act in presence of multiple variant which were noted in African and Southeast Asian parasite populations [27, 30].

In this study, low frequency of k13 propeller mutations were observed and no previously validated artemisinin resistance variant reported from South East Asia were found. A majority of isolates in this study carried wild-type k13 propeller gene corresponds to haplotype FGNSCAFLYGPEPA-CVEAA [31]. Synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions of unclear phenotype were identified. Recent studies from Pakistan also reported a lack of k13 variants associated with artemisinin resistance. Both studies, however reported synonymous and non- synonymous with no or limited association with artemisnin resistance consistent with current findings [32, 33]. These results are encouraging and suggest that artemisinin resistance is not yet established in Southern Pakistan. However, presence of low frequency of M476I and evolving variants is however alarming. This study shows there may be regional variation in mutation profile and therefore it is important that consistent and regular molecular surveillance monitoring is conducted throughout Pakistan.

Although critical SNPs associated with artemisinin resistance in SE Asia were not detected in this study and concur with African studies which report different mutation [24, 25]. Novel k13 propeller coding substitutions T508N and S57L were reported in this study. The phenotypes of these coding polymorphisms remain unclear and will require further characterization to better characterize the clinical impact on artemisinin resistance in Southern Pakistan.

This study confirms that recently revised treatment option from AT + SP to AL for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria should be an effective regimen as pfmdr1 gene amplifications were not observed. Pfmdr1 gene copy number amplification has been associated with an increased risk for treatment failure after mefloquine monotherapy and artesunate-mefloquine combination therapy [18]. Presence of single copy pfmdr 1 gene is consistent with previously reported studies from Pakistan [2]. The low prevalence of pfmdr1 amplifications observed in this study suggests that both artesunate-mefloquine and artemether-lumefantrine combination would be efficacious in Southern Pakistan.

One of the limitation of the present study was absence of availability of coordinated clinical follow up, patient outcomes and molecular data to provide better understanding of the biological and clinical impact of these unique genotypes. Complementing these studies with ongoing, large-scale molecular epidemiologic surveillance will enhance ability to monitor artemisinin resistance in Pakistan. Integration of these efforts in the national malaria control programme may help forestall the spread of resistance and enhance the global durability of artemisinin therapies.

The absence of known molecular markers of artemisinin resistance in this region is favourable for the anti-malarial efficacy of ACT. However, presence of M476I in low frequency is matter of concern in Pakistan. It is difficult to predict how soon resistance variants may appear in absence of wide scale molecular surveillance. Validated data on k13 mutation are known to have population based specificity therefore data from Pakistan has critical implications for implementation of appropriate treatment policy and development of elimination strategy. Molecular surveillance can provide a framework to rapidly monitor for the emergence or importation of resistance alleles.