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Molecular surveillance of the antifolate-resistant mutation I164L in imported african isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in Europe: sentinel data from TropNetEurop.

Authors :
Wichmann, Ole
Jelinek, Tomas
Peyerl-Hoffann, Gabriele
Mühlberger, Nikolai
Grobusch, Martin P.
Gascon, Joaquim
Matteelli, Alberto
Hatz, Christoph
Laferl, Hermann
Schulze, Marco
Burchard, Gerd
Da Cunha, Saraiva
Beran, Jiøi
McWhinney, Paul
Kollaritsch, Herwig
Kern, Peter
Cuadros, Juan
Alifrangis, Michael
Source :
Malaria Journal; 2003, Vol. 2, p1-5, 5p, 1 Chart
Publication Year :
2003

Abstract

Background: Malaria parasites that carry the DHFR-mutation I164L are not only highly resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine but also to the new antimalarial drug chlorproguanil-dapsone. The spread of this mutation in Africa would result in a public health disaster since there is a lack of effective alternatives that are both affordable and safe. Up to now, this mutation has only been described in Asian and Latin-American countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of this mutation in African isolates of Plasmodium falciparum that have been imported into Europe through travellers. Methods: TropNetEurop is a network for the surveillance of travel-associated diseases and seems to cover approximately 12% of all malaria cases imported into Europe. Within this network we screened 277 imported African isolates of P. falciparum with the help of PCR- and enzymedigestion-methods for the antifolate-resistant mutation I164L. Results: The I164L mutation was not detected in any of the isolates tested. Discussion: Continuous molecular surveillance of mutations in P. falciparum, as it is practised within TropNetEurop, is an essential tool for the understanding and early detection of the spread of antimalarial drug resistance in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14752875
Volume :
2
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Malaria Journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
30095572