Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum cytochrome b gene mutations in isolates imported from Africa, and implications for atovaquone resistance

A Berry; A Senescau; J Lelièvre; F Benoit-Vical; R Fabre; B Marchou; J F Magnaval

doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2006.02.004

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum cytochrome b gene mutations in isolates imported from Africa, and implications for atovaquone resistance

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Oct;100(10):986-8. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2006.02.004. Epub 2006 May 11.

Authors

A Berry¹, A Senescau, J Lelièvre, F Benoit-Vical, R Fabre, B Marchou, J F Magnaval

Affiliation

¹ Department of Parasitology, Rangueil University Hospital, 31059 Toulouse 9, France. [email protected]

PMID: 16690094
DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2006.02.004

Abstract

The atovaquone resistance of malaria parasites correlates with mutations in the cytochrome b gene. We sequenced the Plasmodium falciparum cytochrome b gene of 135 African isolates. Our data showed a high mutation rate (8.9%); however, the risk of emergence spreading of atovaquone-resistant P. falciparum strains could be limited.

MeSH terms

Africa
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
Atovaquone / therapeutic use*
Cytochromes b / genetics*
Drug Resistance
Emigration and Immigration
Humans
Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
Malaria, Falciparum / genetics
Mutation / genetics*
Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

Antimalarials
Cytochromes b
Atovaquone