Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in the Peruvian Amazon: propagation of complex, multiple allele-type infections without super-infection

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Dec;81(6):950-60. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2009.09-0132.

Abstract

Outcrossing potential between Plasmodium parasites is defined by the population-level diversity (PLD) and complexity of infection (COI). There have been few studies of PLD and COI in low transmission regions. Since the 1995-1998 Peruvian Amazon epidemic, there has been sustained transmission with < 0.5 P. falciparum and < 1.6 P. vivax infections/person/year. Using weekly active case detection, we described PLD by heterozygosity (H(e)) and COI using P. falciparum Pfmsp1-B2 and P. vivax Pvmsp3alpha. Not being homologous genes, we limited comparisons to within species. P. falciparum (N = 293) had low (H(e) = 0.581) and P. vivax (N = 186) had high (H(e) = 0.845) PLD. A total of 9.5% P. falciparum infections and 26.3% P. vivax infections had COI > 1. Certain allele types were in more mixed infections than expected by chance. The few appearances of new alleles could be explained by stochastic polymerase chain reaction detection or synchronization/sequestration. The results suggest propagation of mixed infections by multiple inocula, not super-infection, implying decade-long opportunity for outcrossing in these mixed infections.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology*
  • Malaria, Vivax / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Vivax / parasitology*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium vivax / genetics*
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Protozoan Proteins