Study of Drug Resistance Mutations in Malaria in Angola
Author Information
Author(s): Paula Figueiredo, Carla Benchimol, Dina Lopes, Luís Bernardino, Virgílio do Rosário, Luís Varandas, Fátima Nogueira
Primary Institution: Pediatric Hospital Dr. David Bernardino, Luanda, Angola
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of mutations associated with drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Luanda, Angola?
Conclusion
The study found a high presence of chloroquine resistance markers, while a much lower prevalence was detected for sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine markers.
Supporting Evidence
- 93.9% of the samples had the pfcrt T76 mutation associated with chloroquine resistance.
- 61.3% of the samples had the pfmdr1 Y86 mutation also linked to chloroquine resistance.
- 20.6% of the samples had the pfdhfr R59 mutation associated with sulphadoxine resistance.
- 6.3% of the samples had the pfdhps E540 mutation linked to sulphadoxine resistance.
- 9% of the children had the quintuple mutant associated with treatment failure.
Takeaway
Researchers looked at blood samples from children with malaria in Angola to see how many had mutations that make the disease resistant to common treatments. They found many had mutations for one drug but fewer for another.
Methodology
Blood samples were collected from children with uncomplicated malaria, and mutations in specific genes were analyzed using PCR-RFLP.
Limitations
The study does not establish the predictive value of the mutations for treatment failure.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 1 to 16 years from the Pediatric Hospital Dr. David Bernardino in Luanda, Angola.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.029
Statistical Significance
p = 0.029
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website