Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM MEROZITE SURFACE PROTEIN 1 GENE ALLELIC VARIANT-K AND GLUCOSE- 6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE IN A CROSS SECTION OF CHILDREN POPULATION SOUTH SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Pughikumo D. T.*, Pughikumo O. C., Donald A. A. and Puikumo N. T.

Abstract

The recent advance in molecular biology has opened a vista for scientific community to harness understanding of merozoite surface proteins (MSPs) and their epidemiological significance for efficient research and healthcare practice regarding diagnosis and control of malaria; which still constitutes a huge health and economic challenge in developing countries. The present research focused on investigating the allelic variant – K of MSP1 within a cross section of 1 to 5 years children population of twenty-five wherein by random selection, 52% were male and 48% female. Following standard procedure, blood samples collection, determining of malaria parasites and genetic protocol for MSPs confirmation were carried out in a reputable laboratory. 36% of study subjects had MSP1 –K, among whom 44% was female and 56% male. In the same vein, 36 % of the children were positive for both MSP1-K and G6PD; with 56% male and 44% female. Whether this trend is mere coincidence when subjected to statistical test suggests that further research may buttress how allelic variant MSP1 –K is present in malaria-infected blood sample (that is also positive for G6PD) among the children population investigated.

Keywords: Allelic variant – K, MSP1, age, sex, plasmodium falciparium, G6PD.