Independent Emergence of the Plasmodium Falciparum Kelch Propeller Domain Mutant Allele C580Y in Guyana.

Chenet SM1, Akinyi Okoth S2, Huber CS3, Chandrabose J4, Lucchi NW3, Talundzic E2, Krishnalall K4, Ceron N5, Musset L6, Macedo de Oliveira A3,Venkatesan M7, Rahman R8, Barnwell JW3, Udhayakumar V3.

Author information

Abstract

Suspected artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum can be explored by examining polymorphisms in the Kelch (PfK13) propeller domain. Sequencing of PfK13 and other gene resistance markers was performed on 98 samples from Guyana. Five of these samples carried the C580Y allele in the PfK13 propeller domain, with flanking microsatellite profiles different from those observed in Southeast Asia. These molecular data demonstrate independent emergence of the C580Y K13 mutant allele in Guyana, where resistance alleles to previously used drugs are fixed. Therefore, continued molecular surveillance and periodic assessment of therapeutic efficacy of ACT in Guyana and neighboring countries, is warranted.