Property | Value |
Name | Prevalence of the P. falciparum mutant dhps/dhfr genes 10 years after introduction of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine in the main malarial zones in Kenya |
Description | Research article:- Wangai Nyawira L1, Karau Muriira G2, 3, Gitonga Wachira4. 1.Ph.D. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya. 2.Kenya Bureau of Standards, P. O Box 54974-00200, Nairobi, Kenya 3.Ph.D (Candidate). Kenyatta University, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, P.O Box 43844 Nairobi, Kenya. 4.MSc. School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, P. O Box 19676-00202, Nairobi.
Abstract:-Plasmodium falciparum strains resistant to the commonly used antimalarial drugs are becoming more prevalent in Kenya, thus becoming a great challenge to the efforts to manage malaria, especially in endemic areas where mortality and morbidity rates are high. In the present study, the presence of dhfr-codon Arg 59 and dhps-codon Glu 540, associated with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) drugs resistance was determined by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) followed by restriction fragments digestion. Blood samples were collected from Mbita and eight epidemic districts in Kenya. It was found that the prevalence of the mutants’ strains was 16.7% in 1998 when SPs were introduced in Kenya. In 2007, about 10 years since the introduction of SPs, the prevalence of mutant strains was significantly high at 78.9% in malaria endemic areas of Mbita and 43.4% in the eight epidemic districts in Kenya. This study suggests that resistance to SPs could be largely due to drug pressure which has been present, and is still present after the withdrawal of the SPs due to their use as second line drugs, and their availability over the counter out lets in the country. To ensure that the circulation of the resistant mutants is controlled, strict adherence to the withdrawal policy should be observed.
Keywords:- Dehydrofolate reductase (dhfr), dehydropteroate synthase (dhps), endemic, epidemic, mutants, sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP). |
Filename | Wangai Nyawira et al.(N).pdf |
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Creator | admin |
Created On: | 08/16/2011 00:00 |
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Last updated on | 10/11/2011 03:20 |
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