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The patterns of mutation and amplification of Plasmodium falciparum pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes in Thailand during the year 1988 to 2003

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Abstract

The study investigated the patterns of pfmdr1 and pfcrt genetic polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciaprum isolates collected from Thailand during the periods 1988-1993 (35 isolates), and 2003 (21 isolates). Pfcrt polymorphisms were almost universal for the mutations at codons K76T, A220S, Q271E, N326S, and R371I. All parasites displayed the chloroquine (CQ)-resistant phenotypes. This data suggested that pfcrt gene was sufficient to CQ resistance but did not mediate level of resistance. The prevalence [number of isolates (%)] of pfmdr1 polymorphisms at codons N86Y, Y184F, S1034C, N1042D and D1246Y were five (9%), 48 (86%), ten (18%), and 15 (27%), respectively. All isolates carried the wild-type nucleotide at position 1246. Results support the role of pfmdr1 in modulating susceptibilities of the P. falciparum to CQ, QN, and MQ. The frequencies of the S1034C and N1042D pfmdr1 polymorphisms and number of gene copy were significantly different in isolates collected during the two periods, with a trend of increasing prevalence of wild-type genotypes and number of gene copy from 1988 to 2003. The prominent pattern of pfmdr1 at codons 86/184/1034/1042/1246 was NFSND, with prevalence increasing from 40% to 95% during the 10-year period.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by Pramongkutklao Medical College and The Commission on Higher Education, Ministry of Education of Thailand. We are grateful to Malaria Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand for parasites isolates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand

    Mathirut Mungthin

  2. Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences. Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Patumthani, 12121, Thailand

    Nantana Suwandittakul, Wanna Chaijaroenkul & Kesara Na Bangchang

  3. The College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10310, Thailand

    Kanchana Rungsrihirunrat, Pongchai Harnyuttanakorn & Aree Seugorn

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  1. Mathirut Mungthin
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  2. Nantana Suwandittakul
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  7. Kesara Na Bangchang
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Correspondence to Kesara Na Bangchang.

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Mungthin, M., Suwandittakul, N., Chaijaroenkul, W. et al. The patterns of mutation and amplification of Plasmodium falciparum pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes in Thailand during the year 1988 to 2003. Parasitol Res 107, 539–545 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1887-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1887-x

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