MOLECULAR DETECTION OF GENETIC MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUMDRUG RESISTANCE AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING SOME HOSPITALS IN PARTS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
MOLECULAR DETECTION OF GENETIC MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUMDRUG RESISTANCE AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING SOME HOSPITALS IN PARTS OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2021-04
Authors
BENJAMIN, Gideon Yakusak
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Abstract
Antimalarial drug resistance is a major obstacle to management and control of malariain
Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. This research was aimed at carrying out molecular
detection of genetic markers associated with Plasmodium falciparum specificdrug
resistance among patients attending some hospitals in parts of Kaduna state, Nigeria.Three
hundred (300) blood samples were collected from consenting individuals attending
selected hospitals, in the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The samples
were screened for malaria parasites by microscopy and CareStartTMmalaria rapid
diagnostic test kit. Structured questionnaire were used to obtain bio-data and demographic
data from the study participants. The data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Chi square to check for association. Out of the 300 blood
samples screenedby microscopy and Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (MRDT); 71 (23.7%)
were positive by microscopy while 65 (21.7%) were positive by MRDT and only
Plasmodium falciparum was detected. Patients attending General hospital Kafanchan had
the highest occurrence (30%) of Plasmodium falciparum infection. The age group ≤10 had
the highest prevalence of malaria (p<0.05). Married participants had higher prevalence
(31.8%) of malaria than participants who were single (16%)or divorced (12.5%)(p<0.05).
Those who use insecticide spray at home had lower prevalence (20.0%) of malaria
compared to those who do not (p<0.05). Of all the malaria positive participants, those with
Haemoglobin AA (73%) haemoglobingenotype had the highest percentage followed by
Haemoglobin AS (23%), Haemoglobin AC (3%) and HaemoglobinSS
(1).Plasmodiumfalciparumchloroquineresistance transporter (pfcrt),
Plasmodiumfalciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), Plasmodium falciparum
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dihydrofolatereductase (pfdhfr), Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthase
(pfdhps)genes were detected at expected amplicon sizes from the malaria positive samples
in this study. Pfcrt (80%) had the highest prevalence, followed by pfdhfr (60%), pfmdr1
(36%) and pfdhps (8%).The phylogenetic tree showed that pfatpase6sequences in this
study were related to published sequences. The findings of the study revealed association
between malaria and age, and marital statusof participants. Study also demonstrated the
presence of pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhpsand pfatpase6which are associated with
antimalarial resistance.DNA sequencing and bioinformatics tools such as sequence
alignment and BLASTcontributed to proper identification and confirmation of genes after
PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE
STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MICROBIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY,
FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
MOLECULAR DETECTION,, GENETIC MARKERS ASSOCIATED,, PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUMDRUG RESISTANCE,, PATIENTS ATTENDING,, HOSPITALS,, PARTS,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA