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<p>Malaria remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, where both <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> and <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> are endemic. Notably, <i>P. vivax</i> infections have been documented in Duffy-negative individuals, previously considered resistant to this parasite. <i>PvDBP</i> gene duplication has been proposed as a mechanism facilitating reticulocyte invasion, but evidence remains limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study (2020 to 2021) including 1,154 febrile patients from three Ethiopian regions (Gambela, Oromia, and SNNPR). <i>Plasmodium</i> species were identified by PCR, Duffy genotypes by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay, and <i>PvDBP</i> gene duplication by semi-nested PCR. Overall, malaria prevalence was 46%. <i>P. falciparum</i> (49%) was the predominant species, followed by mixed <i>P. falciparum</i>/<i>P. vivax</i> (26%) infections, and <i>P. vivax</i> mono-infections (23%). The Duffy-negative genotype was common (41%) and varied by region. As expected, Duffy-negative individuals were underrepresented among <i>P. vivax</i> mono-infections (3%), while <i>P. falciparum</i> prevalence did not differ across Duffy genotypes. Mixed <i>P. falciparum</i>/<i>P. vivax</i> infections were more frequent in Duffy-negative individuals (25%). Among the 155 samples successfully analyzed, <i>PvDBP</i> gene duplication was detected in 78%, with the highest prevalence observed in Gambela. No duplication was observed in the single <i>P. vivax</i> mono-infection identified in a Duffy-negative individual. These findings highlight the occurrence of <i>P. vivax</i> infection and frequent mixed infections in Duffy-negative individuals. The high prevalence of <i>PvDBP</i> gene duplication, particularly in regions with high Duffy-negativity, may reflect evolutionary pressure to overcome host receptor barriers. These results underscore the importance of molecular surveillance to monitor emerging transmission dynamics and parasite evolution.</p>

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Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax co-infections and PvDBP gene duplication in relation to Duffy genotypes of individuals from Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Baura Tat,
  • Lionel Brice Feufack-Donfack,
  • Bernis Neneyoh Yengo,
  • Virak Eng,
  • Tassew Tefera Shenkutie,
  • Meshesha Tsigie,
  • Costanza Tacoli,
  • Nimol Khim,
  • Sindew M. Feleke,
  • Eugenia Lo,
  • Jean Popovici

摘要

Malaria remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, where both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are endemic. Notably, P. vivax infections have been documented in Duffy-negative individuals, previously considered resistant to this parasite. PvDBP gene duplication has been proposed as a mechanism facilitating reticulocyte invasion, but evidence remains limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study (2020 to 2021) including 1,154 febrile patients from three Ethiopian regions (Gambela, Oromia, and SNNPR). Plasmodium species were identified by PCR, Duffy genotypes by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay, and PvDBP gene duplication by semi-nested PCR. Overall, malaria prevalence was 46%. P. falciparum (49%) was the predominant species, followed by mixed P. falciparum/P. vivax (26%) infections, and P. vivax mono-infections (23%). The Duffy-negative genotype was common (41%) and varied by region. As expected, Duffy-negative individuals were underrepresented among P. vivax mono-infections (3%), while P. falciparum prevalence did not differ across Duffy genotypes. Mixed P. falciparum/P. vivax infections were more frequent in Duffy-negative individuals (25%). Among the 155 samples successfully analyzed, PvDBP gene duplication was detected in 78%, with the highest prevalence observed in Gambela. No duplication was observed in the single P. vivax mono-infection identified in a Duffy-negative individual. These findings highlight the occurrence of P. vivax infection and frequent mixed infections in Duffy-negative individuals. The high prevalence of PvDBP gene duplication, particularly in regions with high Duffy-negativity, may reflect evolutionary pressure to overcome host receptor barriers. These results underscore the importance of molecular surveillance to monitor emerging transmission dynamics and parasite evolution.