Detection of antimalarial drug resistance polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter and Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance 1 genes of Plasmodium falciparum found in Kano State, Nigeria

Objectives: In 2018, malaria claimed an estimated 380,000 lives in African region, with Nigeria accounting for 24.0% (91,368) of malaria deaths from the region. Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (Pfmdr-1) genes had reduced the effective use of artemisinin combination therapy through the development of resistance to these antimalarial agents. Our study set out to determine the antimalarial drug resistance polymorphisms in Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 genes of P. falciparum isolates among patients in Kano State, Nigeria. Material and Methods: Malaria positive samples were collected across the three senatorial districts of Kano State. The samples were amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction to detect the Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 genes. The amplicons were sequenced and bioinformatic analysis was done using CLC Sequence viewer 8.0 and BioEdit sequence alignment editor to detect the single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Results: In the Pfcrt gene, CVIET haplotype was seen in 26.2% of the samples while only two samples showed the 86Y mutation in the Pfmdr-1 gene. All the 86Y mutations and majority of the CVIET haplotypes were detected in the patients from rural settings where some of them noted that they consumed modern and traditional (herbs) antimalarial agents. One sample was observed to have the CVIET haplotype and N86Y mutation while the other five CVIET haplotypes were seen in five separate samples. A new mutation V62A was found in the Pfmdr-1 gene as observed in one of the sample. Conclusion: It is imperative to ensure the rational use of the right antimalarial agents and employ continuous resistance surveillance/mapping to ensure synergy in malaria containment and elimination strategies.