Citation:
Ernest Diez Benavente, Zoe Ward, Wilson Chan, Fady R. Mohareb, Colin J. Sutherland, Cally Roper, Susana Campino and Taane G. Clark. Genomic variation in Plasmodium vivax malaria reveals regions under selective pressure. PLoS ONE Vol. 12, Iss. 5, article e0177134
Abstract:
Background
Although Plasmodium vivax contributes to almost half of all malaria cases outside Africa, it
has been relatively neglected compared to the more deadly P. falciparum. It is known that
P. vivax populations possess high genetic diversity, differing geographically potentially due
to different vector species, host genetics and environmental factors.
Results
We analysed the high-quality genomic data for 46 P. vivax isolates spanning 10 countries
across 4 continents. Using population genetic methods we identified hotspots of selection
pressure, including the previously reported MRP1 and DHPS genes, both putative drug
resistance loci. Extra copies and deletions in the promoter region of another drug resistance
candidate, MDR1 gene, and duplications in the Duffy binding protein gene (PvDBP) potentially
involved in erythrocyte invasion, were also identified. For surveillance applications,
continental-informative markers were found in putative drug resistance loci, and we show
that organellar polymorphisms could classify P. vivax populations across continents and differentiate
between Plasmodia spp.
Conclusions
This study has shown that genomic diversity that lies within and between P. vivax populations
can be used to elucidate potential drug resistance and invasion mechanisms, as well
as facilitate the molecular barcoding of the parasite for surveillance applications.