A Study On Low K13 Mutation Profile - 971 Words

Low K13 mutation profile, after introduction of Artemether-Lumefantrine, in Msambweni coastal region, Kenya. Reuben Mwikiio kinyanzwii 1 3*, Francis .T. Kimani 3, Laura Wangai 2 Eric Lelo 3 Edwin Too 3, Denis Mwaniki.1 1 Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (ITROMID), Nairobi, Kenya, 2 School of Health Sciences, Kirinyaga University College (Constituent College of JKUAT), Kerugoya, Kenya, 3 Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (KEMRI, CBRD), Nairobi, Kenya. Corresponding Author: Reuben Mwikiio Kinyanzwii* reubenkinyanzwii@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: Worldwide emergence and spread of antimalarial resistance has led to use of molecular markers in monitoring of resistant plasmodium parasite. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the K13 propellor domain have been recently associated with artemisinin resistance. This study aims at profiling K13 molecular markers related to reduced susceptibility to Artemether-Lumefantrine in parasite isolates from Msambweni coastal region, Kenya. Methods: Chelex method was used for extracting DNA from Plasmodium falciparum positive dried blood spots on filter paper samples. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing technique was used to detect single nucleotide polymorphism in K13 propeller gene. MEGA 6 was used to identify specific SNP combinations using wild-type reference sequence (XM_001350122). Results: A total 150 samples were collected from malaria infected patients in