Plasmodium falciparum with pfhrp2/3 Deletion Not Detected in a 2018-2021 Malaria Longitudinal Cohort Study in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 Jun 20;109(2):273-276. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0715. Print 2023 Aug 2.

Abstract

Histidine-rich protein 2- (HRP2-) based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to detect Plasmodium falciparum in sub-Saharan Africa. Reports of parasites with pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3) gene deletions in Africa raise concerns about the long-term viability of HRP2-based RDTs. We evaluated changes in pfhrp2/3 deletion prevalence over time using a 2018-2021 longitudinal study of 1,635 enrolled individuals in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Samples collected during biannual household visits with ≥ 100 parasites/µL by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were genotyped using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Among 2,726 P. falciparum PCR-positive samples collected from 993 participants during the study period, 1,267 (46.5%) were genotyped. No pfhrp2/3 deletions or mixed pfhrp2/3-intact and -deleted infections were identified in our study. Pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites were not detected in Kinshasa Province; ongoing use of HRP2-based RDTs is appropriate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Cohort Studies
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo / epidemiology
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Malaria*
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum* / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Antigens, Protozoan