High prevalence of Pfdhfr-Pfdhps quadruple mutations associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Background: Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is recommended for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in Africa. However, increasing SP resistance (SPR) affects the therapeutic efficacy of the SP. As molecular markers, Pfdhfr (dihydrofolate reductase) and Pfdhps (dihydropteroate synthase) genes are widely used for SPR surveillance.

Genetic diversity and allele frequencies of Plasmodium falciparum msp1 and msp2 in parasite isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Background: Malaria is still a serious public health problem on Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea), although the number of annual cases has been greatly reduced since 2004 through the Bioko Island Malaria Control Project (BIMCP). A better understanding of malaria parasite population diversity and transmission dynamics is critical for assessing the effectiveness of malaria control measures. The objective of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum populations and multiplicity of infection (MOI) on Bioko Island 7 years after BIMCP.

Limited artemisinin resistance-associated polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum K13-propeller and PfATPase6 gene isolated from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Objective: With emergence and geographically expanding of antimalarial resistance worldwide, molecular markers are essential tool for surveillance of resistant Plasmodium parasites. Recently, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PF3D7_1343700 kelch propeller (K13-propeller) domain are shown to be associated with artemisinin (ART) resistance in vivo and in vitro. This study aims to investigate the ART resistance-associated polymorphisms of K13-propeller and PfATPase6 genes in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (EG).

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Treponema pallidum Infections among Blood Donors on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Background: Regular screening of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively), and Treponema pallidum, in blood donors is essential to guaranteeing clinical transfusion safety. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of four TTIs among blood donors on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (EG).

Methods: A retrospective survey of blood donors from January 2011 to April 2013 was conducted to assess the presence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T.

Molecular mutation profile of Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Background: Antimalarial drug resistance is a primary public health problem. Haplotypes of pfcrt and pfmdr1 gene have been implicated to be molecular markers of chloroquine (CQ) resistance. This study aims to explore mutation distribution of Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (EG).

G6PD Deficiency and Hemoglobinopathies: Molecular Epidemiological Characteristics and Healthy Effects on Malaria Endemic Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and hemoglobinopathies were the inherited conditions found mostly in African. However, few epidemiological data of these disorders was reported in Equatorial Guinea (EQG). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and healthy effects of G6PD deficiency and hemoglobinopathies among the people on malaria endemic Bioko Island, EQG.

Rapid identification of apolipoprotein E genotypes by high-resolution melting analysis in Chinese Han and African Fang populations.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphism can affect APOE gene transcription, serum lipid levels and repair of tissue damage, which could place individuals at serious risk of cardiovascular disease or certain infectious diseases. Recently, high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was reported to be a simple, inexpensive, accurate and sensitive method for the genotyping or/and scanning of rare mutations. For this reason, an HRM analysis was used in the present study for APOE genotyping in the Southern Chinese Han and African Fang populations.

High prevalence of pfmdr1 N86Y and Y184F mutations in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Objective: Drug resistance against Plasmodium falciparum has been recognized as the crucial obstacle to curbing mortality and morbidity from malaria. To investigate the distribution and pattern of multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) gene polymorphisms in P. falciparum, isolates collected from the malaria high-endemic Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.