Dramatic Changes in Malaria Population Genetic Complexity in Dielmo and Ndiop, Senegal, Revealed Using Genomic Surveillance

J Infect Dis. 2018 Jan 30;217(4):622-627. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix580.

Abstract

Dramatic changes in transmission intensity can impact Plasmodium population diversity. Using samples from 2 distant time-points in the Dielmo/Ndiop longitudinal cohorts from Senegal, we applied a molecular barcode tool to detect changes in parasite genotypes and complexity of infection that corresponded to changes in transmission intensity. We observed a striking statistically significant difference in genetic diversity between the 2 parasite populations. Furthermore, we identified a genotype in Dielmo and Ndiop previously observed in Thiès, potentially implicating imported malaria. This genetic surveillance study validates the molecular barcode as a tool to assess parasite population diversity changes and track parasite genotypes.

Keywords: Dielmo/Ndiop; Senegal; genomic surveillance; malaria; molecular barcode.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
  • Female
  • Genetics, Population*
  • Genome, Protozoan
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Malaria / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Plasmodium / classification*
  • Plasmodium / genetics*
  • Plasmodium / isolation & purification
  • Senegal
  • Young Adult