Molecular surveillance of the antifolate-resistant mutation I164L in imported african isolates of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>in Europe: sentinel data from TropNetEurop

• Main Authors: McWhinney Paul, Beran Jiøi, Cunha Saraiva da, Burchard Gerd, Schulze Marco, Laferl Hermann, Matteelli Alberto, Hatz Christoph, Gascon Joaquim, Grobusch Martin P, Mühlberger Nikolai, Peyerl-Hoffmann Gabriele, Jelinek Tomas, Wichmann Ole, Kollaritsch Herwig, Kern Peter, Cuadros Juan, Alifrangis Michael, Gjørup Ida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2003-06-01
• Series: Malaria Journal
• Online Access: http://www.malariajournal.com/content/2/1/17

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria parasites that carry the DHFR-mutation I164L are not only highly resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine but also to the new antimalarial drug chlorproguanil-dapsone. The spread of this mutation in Africa would result in a public health disaster since there is a lack of effective alternatives that are both affordable and safe. Up to now, this mutation has only been described in Asian and Latin-American countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of this mutation in African isolates of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>that have been imported into Europe through travellers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>TropNetEurop is a network for the surveillance of travel-associated diseases and seems to cover approximately 12% of all malaria cases imported into Europe. Within this network we screened 277 imported African isolates of <it>P. falciparum </it>with the help of PCR- and enzyme-digestion-methods for the antifolate-resistant mutation I164L.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The I164L mutation was not detected in any of the isolates tested.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Continuous molecular surveillance of mutations in <it>P. falciparum</it>, as it is practised within TropNetEurop, is an essential tool for the understanding and early detection of the spread of antimalarial drug resistance in Africa.</p>