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. 2002 Oct 11:1:11.
doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-1-11. Epub 2002 Oct 11.

Molecular surveillance of drug resistance through imported isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in Europe

Tomas Jelinek  1 , Gabriele Peyerl-Hoffmann, Nikolai Mühlberger, Ole Wichmann, Michael Wilhelm, Nadja Schmider, Martin P Grobusch, Frank von Sonnenburg, Joaquim Gascon, Hermann Laferl, Christoph Hatz, Michael Alifrangis, Gerd Burchard, Paul McWhinney, Marco Schulze, Herwig Kollaritsch, Saraiva da Cunha, Jiri Beran, Peter Kern, Ida Gjørup, Juan Cuadros
Affiliations

Molecular surveillance of drug resistance through imported isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in Europe

Tomas Jelinek et al. Malar J. .

Abstract

Background: Results from numerous studies point convincingly to correlations between mutations at selected genes and phenotypic resistance to antimalarials in Plasmodium falciparum isolates. In order to move molecular assays for point mutations on resistance-related genes into the realm of applied tools for surveillance, we investigated a selection of P. falciparum isolates that were imported during the year 2001 into Europe to study the prevalence of resistance-associated point mutations at relevant codons. In particular, we tested for parasites which were developing resistance to antifolates and chloroquine. The screening results were used to map the prevalence of mutations and, thus, levels of potential drug resistance in endemic areas world-wide.

Results: 337 isolates have been tested so far. Prevalence of mutations that are associated with resistance to chloroquine on the pfcrt and pfmdr genes of P. falciparum was demonstrated at high levels. However, the prevalence of mutations associated with resistance to antifolates at the DHFR and DHPS genes was unexpectedly low, rarely exceeding 60% in endemic areas.

Conclusions: Constant screening of imported isolates will enable TropNetEurop to establish a screening tool for emerging resistance in endemic areas.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proportion of point mutations related to chloroquine resistance in different regions of sub-Saharan Africa (percentage showing proportion of mutation-positive samples from every geographical region)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion of point mutations related to resistance to group I antifolates in different regions of sub-Saharan Africa (percentage showing proportion of mutation-positive samples from every geographical region)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportion of point mutations related to resistance to group II antifolates in different regions of sub-Saharan Africa (percentage showing proportion of mutation-positive samples from every geographical region)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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