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. 2025 Aug 7;24(1):253.
doi: 10.1186/s12936-025-05414-6.

Genetic polymorphism of msp2 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates among asymptomatic malaria infections from two ecological settings in Cameroon

Aline G Bouopda-Tuedom  1   2 , Luc Abate  2   3 , Brice L Feufack-Donfack  2 , Christelle M Ngou  2   3 , Albert N Bayibeki  4 , Carole E Eboumbou Moukoko  1   2 , Lawrence S Ayong  1 , Antoine Berry  5 , Thierry Lefèvre  3 , Isabelle Morlais #  6 , Sandrine E Nsango #  7   8
Affiliations

Genetic polymorphism of msp2 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates among asymptomatic malaria infections from two ecological settings in Cameroon

Aline G Bouopda-Tuedom et al. Malar J. .

Abstract

Background: The high genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum parasites is one of the challenges for malaria control and elimination in endemic areas. A better knowledge of parasite genotypes circulating in different disease endemic areas could help to optimize local malaria interventions. This study aimed at determining P. falciparum genetic diversity from isolates collected in forest (Mfou) and humid savanna (Tibati) eco-epidemiological settings in Cameroon.

Methods: Dried blood spots collected from asymptomatic individuals in 2018 and 2019 were used to determine the Plasmodium infection status and distinguish the Plasmodium spp. by real-time PCR. Allelic polymorphism of the msp2 gene was assessed in the P. falciparum positive samples by nested PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis for revelation of the fragment allelic size. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) was defined as the number of coinfecting genotypes within an infection. General linear mixed models were fitted to evaluate the impact of study site, participant age, gender and bed net ownership on genetic diversity.

Results: Malaria prevalence among the asymptomatic individuals reached 59.2% (876/1480) in Mfou and 63.4% (808/1274) in Tibati. A total of 36 and 42 different msp2 alleles were detected in Mfou and Tibati, respectively. No genetic differentiation was observed between the two study sites. The msp2 IC/3D7 family was the most polymorphic and the most prevalent in both areas. Overall, more than 60% of the isolates had multiclonal infections. The frequency of multiclonal infections and MOI was higher in Mfou (68.9%, MOI = 2.08) than in Tibati (57.29%, MOI = 1.80). In Mfou, a negative correlation was found between MOI and age. Similarly, a gender effect was observed in Mfou, with males having higher MOI than females.

Conclusion: This study reported high malaria prevalence and a high allelic diversity in the msp2 gene among asymptomatic carriers from two epidemiological settings of Cameroon. Despite results reflects high transmission intensity in both areas, analysis indicated distinct epidemiological patterns in Mfou and Tibati. These findings will provide valuable baseline information to monitor the impact of malaria control measures implemented in these areas.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum; Genetic diversity; Heterozygosity; Merozoite surface protein 2; Multiclonal infections.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The research protocol was reviewed and approved by the Cameroon National Ethics Committee for Research on Human Health under agreements 2018/05/1011/CE/CNERSH/SP and 2019/05/1161/CE/CNERSH/SP. The CNERSH is officially recognized by the Ministry of Public Health and is not affiliated to any University. Adult participants were enrolled in the study after signing a written informed consent, and a signed authorization was obtained from the legal parent/guardian for minor participants. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Map of the study sites in Cameroon. The figure displays the ecoregions and the two study sites
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Diversity and distribution of the msp2 alleles in Mfou and Tibati. A FC27 allele family distribution. B IC/3D7 allele distribution. C and D Schematic representation of distinct and shared alleles in the FC27 and IC/3D7 families
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Effects of ITN (insecticide-treated net), sex, and age on the prevalence of multiclonal infections (proportion of individuals harboring more than one P. falciparum clone) in Mfou and Tibati. A Prevalence of multiclonal infections by ITN in Mfou and Tibati. B Prevalence of multiclonal infections by sex in Mfou and Tibati. F Females, M Males. In A and B, error bars represent the 95% CI, and sample sizes are displayed at the base of the bars. C Relationship between age and the prevalence of multiclonal infections at the Mfou and Tibati sites. The regression line represents the fitted logistic model. The shaded region indicates the 95% CI for the model. Sample sizes for each site are indicated within bars for A and B and within the legend for C
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Effects of ITN, sex, and age on the MOI (number of msp2 alleles) in Mfou and Tibati. A MOI by ITN (insecticide-treated net) ownership in Mfou and Tibati. Yes: own an ITN, No: no ITN. B MOI by sex in Mfou and Tibati. F females, M Males. C Relationship between age and the prevalence of multiclonal infections at the Mfou and Tibati sites. The regression line represents the fitted truncated Poisson model. The shaded region indicates the 95% CI for the model. Sample sizes for each site are indicated in parentheses
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