K13-propeller polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum parasites from sub-Saharan Africa.
Kamau E., Campino S., Amenga-Etego L., Drury E., Ishengoma D., Johnson K., Mumba D., Kekre M., Yavo W., Mead D., Bouyou-Akotet M., Apinjoh T., Golassa L., Randrianarivelojosia M., Andagalu B., Maiga-Ascofare O., Amambua-Ngwa A., Tindana P., Ghansah A., MacInnis B., Kwiatkowski D., Djimde AA.
Mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum K13-propeller domain have recently been shown to be important determinants of artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia. This study investigated the prevalence of K13-propeller polymorphisms across sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 1212 P. falciparum samples collected from 12 countries were sequenced. None of the K13-propeller mutations previously reported in Southeast Asia were found, but 22 unique mutations were detected, of which 7 were nonsynonymous. Allele frequencies ranged between 1% and 3%. Three mutations were observed in >1 country, and the A578S was present in parasites from 5 countries. This study provides the baseline prevalence of K13-propeller mutations in sub-Saharan Africa.