Genomic Deletion of PfHRP2 and PfHRP3 in Plasmodium falciparum Strains, Ethiopia, 2009

TL;DR

This study found that some malaria parasites in Ethiopia lacked key proteins used in rapid diagnostic tests as early as 2009, which could affect test accuracy.

Contribution

The study reports the early presence of PfHRP2 and PfHRP3 gene deletions in Ethiopia before widespread use of PfHRP2-based tests.

Findings

PfHRP2 and PfHRP3 gene deletions were detected in Ethiopia as early as 2009.

High prevalence of pfhrp3 deletions was observed in the studied parasite strains.

The findings highlight the need to monitor both pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions.

Abstract

Plasmodium falciparum strains lacking P. falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) and PfHRP3 threaten malaria rapid test reliability. We show that pfhrp2/pfhrp3–deleted parasites circulated in Ethiopia as early as 2009, before widespread PfHRP2-based rapid test use, and had high pfhrp3 deletion prevalence. Monitoring of pfhrp2 and of pfhrp3 deletions is needed.

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