- © 2006 Marshfield Clinic
Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum Infections Before and After Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Artesunate Association Treatment in Dienga, Southeastern Gabon
- Fousseyni S. Touré, PhD,
- Jérôme Mezui-Me-Ndong, MS,
- Odile Ouwe-Missi-Oukem-Boyer, PhD,
- Benjamin Ollomo, PhD,
- Dominique Mazier, MD, PhD and
- Sylvie Bisser, MD, PhD
- Fousseyni S. Touré, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon.
- Jérôme Mezui-Me-Ndong, MS, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon.
- Odile Ouwe-Missi-Oukem-Boyer, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon.
- Benjamin Ollomo, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon.
- Dominique Mazier, MD, PhD, INSERM U511, Immuno-Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire des Infections Parasitaires, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, 91 Bd de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
- Sylvie Bisser, MD, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon.
- Reprint Requests:
Fousseyni S. Touré, PhD, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), BP 769 Franceville, Gabon. Tel: 00 241 677092; Fax: 00 241 677095; E-mail: fousseyni{at}yahoo.fr
Abstract
Background: It has been shown that Plasmodium falciparum submicroscopic infections (SMI) can contribute to malaria-associated anemia as well as to cerebral malaria. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are usually used as an alternative to microscopy in detecting subpatently infected individuals.
Objectives:The main objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of SMI before and after a suppressive antimalarial treatment in the population of the village of Dienga in Gabon.
Methods: Nested PCR was used to detect SMI and to determine genotypes.
Results:The prevalence rates of SMI were 13.67% (38/278) at day 0 and 8.99% (25/278) at day 14 after sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-artesunate treatment. Genotype analysis of two polymorphic regions of the merozoite surface protein (MSP)-1 block 2, MSP-2 and a dimorphic region of the erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA-175) revealed that as many as 88% (22/25) of SMI detected after treatment were completely new alleles, indicating either previously sequestered parasites or newly acquired infections.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate the usefulness of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-artesunate association treatment in the population of Dienga and confirmed early parasite genotype change after a suppressive antimalarial treatment in endemic areas.
