MAD 20 alleles of merozoite surface protein-1 (msp-1) are associated with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Pakistan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Various factors determine the outcome of Plasmodium falciparum infection such as parasite load, sequestration, adhesion molecules, and immune mediators. P. falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 (msp-1) and msp-2 genotypes were also found associated with severe disease. We investigated the association between msp-1 and msp-2 genotypes in patients with uncomplicated malaria (UM) and severe malaria (SM).

METHODS:

Twenty-two malaria patients with microscopy-confirmed P. falciparum infection and eight healthy endemic controls were selected for analysis. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify P. falciparum genotypes. The plasma concentration of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)] and chemokines [chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) and CXCL10] were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS:

TNF-α levels were significantly higher in both UM (389 pg/mL, p = 0.020) and SM (771 pg/mL, p = 0.004) compared with healthy controls, while they were greater in SM (p = 0.012) as compared to UM. CXCL9 levels were significantly raised in SM as compared to UM and negative controls (NCs). CXCL10 levels were raised in UM (550 pg/mL, p = 0.001) and SM (1480 pg/mL, p = 0.01) as compared with NCs. Increased levels of IL-6 were found in patients carrying the FC27 allelic type of msp-2. A higher prevalence of MAD 20 and K1 msp-1 alleles was observed in the SM group compared to UM.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, a greater prevalence of MAD 20 alleles and increased serum TNF-α and CXCL9 levels were associated with severe outcome in malaria. Understanding the diversity of malaria genotypes is important for predicting disease-related outcomes of P. falciparum infection in endemic areas.

• Authors: Najia Karim Ghanchi, Zahra Hasan, Muniba Islam, Mohammad Asim Beg
• Journal: Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi (J Microbiol Immunol Infect) Vol. 48 Issue 2 Pg. 213-8 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1995-9133 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24681005 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• Antigens, Protozoan
• Cytokines
• Merozoite Surface Protein 1
• Protozoan Proteins
• merozoite surface protein 2, Plasmodium

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Antigens, Protozoan (genetics)
• Child
• Cytokines (blood)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Genotype
• Humans
• Malaria, Falciparum (parasitology, pathology)
• Male
• Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Pakistan
• Plasmodium falciparum (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Protozoan Proteins (genetics)
• Young Adult