# 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.

## Key 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.