Whole-genome surveillance identifies markers of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance and novel genomic regions under selection in Mozambique

The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance threatens the efficacy of antimalarial therapies globally. Population genomic studies have been instrumental in mapping malaria genes associated with drug resistance. However, to understand the impact of regional malaria control strategies on the malaria genome, it is necessary to examine parasite subpopulations at the country level. Here, we use selective whole-genome amplification (SWGA) to analyze 120 samples from patients with severe malaria in Mozambique, a country with high malaria burden and risk of emerging drug resistance. We demonstrate that SWGA allows for the generation of near-complete whole-genome sequences from clinical P. falciparum isolates. Our analysis shows that Mozambique parasite genomes show strong diversification of vaccine targets including the circumsporozoite protein (csp), the target of the RTS,S vaccine. Parasites in this population appear fully sensitive to chloroquine, bearing no likely resistance conferring mutations in the chloroquine resistance transporter, pfcrt (PF3D7_0709000) and highly resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, exhibiting resistant haplotypes at near fixation. Despite a long history of artemisinin use in Mozambique, we find no evidence of selection near pfkelch13 (PF3D7_1343700) nor evidence of artemisinin resistance conferring mutations in pfkelch13. Using identity by descent analysis, we show positive selection at genomic regions on chromosomes 6, 8, 12, 13, and 14. Gene candidates within these regions include the amino acid transporter 1 (pfaat1, PF3D7_0629500) on chromosome 6 which bears an S258L substitution in >80% of parasites, and a region on chromosome 14 previously amplified under artemisinin pressure.

Automated summary

This study used selective whole-genome amplification (SWGA) to analyze samples from severe malaria patients in Mozambique and found that the parasite genomes in this region exhibit diversity in vaccine targets and drug resistance. Despite long-term artemisinin use, there was no evidence of artemisinin resistance conferring mutations. Additionally, positive selection was observed in certain genomic regions.