Study findings on falciparum malaria genetics are outlined in reports from University of California, College of Health Sciences
2008 FEB 5 -- New research, 'Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity in western Kenya highlands,' is the subject of a report. According to recent research from the United States, "The present study examined the genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in western Kenya by analyzing the polymorphism of 12 microsatellite loci and two antigen loci. Malaria in highland areas is unstable and epidemic whereas malaria in lowland areas is endemic." "Transmission intensity and malaria prevalence are substantially lower in the highlands than in the lowlands. Despite that the highland parasite populations exhibited reduced number of alleles, lower expected heterozygosity, and infection complexity in comparison to the surrounding lowland population, genetic diversity of the highland populations remained high in comparison to parasites from other meso-endemic regions. More than 70% of infections from western Kenya highland study sites were mixed genotype infections. Small but statistically significant genetic differentiation between highland and lowland populations was detected," wrote D. Zhong and colleagues, University of California, College of Health Sciences. The researchers concluded: "These findings are discussed in the context of human travel and local transmission in the study area." Zhong and colleagues published their study in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity in western Kenya highlands. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2007;77(6):1043-50). For additional information, contact D. Zhong, University of California, Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Irvine, CA 92697 USA.. Publisher contact information for the The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene is: American Society Trop Med & Hygiene, 8000 Westpark Dr., Ste. 130, Mclean, VA 22101, USA. Keywords: United States, Irvine, Falciparum Malaria Genetics, Hygiene, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Tropical Disease. This article was prepared by World Disease Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, World Disease Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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