Genetic polymorphism of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) in Plasmodium malariae isolates from Malaysia

Information about Plasmodium malariae is scanty worldwide due to its benign nature and low infection rates. Consequently, studies on the genetic polymorphisms of P. malariae are lacking. Here, we report genetic polymorphisms of 28 P. malariae circumsporozoite protein (Pmcsp) isolates from Malaysia which were compared with those in other regions in Asia as well as those from Africa. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most Malaysian P. malariae isolates clustered together but independently from other Asian isolates. Low nucleotide diversity was observed in Pmcsp non-repeat regions in contrast to high nucleotide diversity observed in non-repeat regions of Plasmodium knowlesi CSP gene, the current major cause of malaria in Malaysia. This study contributes to the characterisation of naturally occurring polymorphisms in the P. malariae CSP gene.

Automated summary

Information about Plasmodium malariae is limited globally due to its mild pathogenicity and low infection rates. A study on genetic polymorphisms of 28 P. malariae circumsporozoite protein isolates from Malaysia revealed differences compared to isolates from other Asian regions and Africa. The research contributes to understanding naturally occurring polymorphisms in the P. malariae CSP gene.