Browsing by Author "Yasin Nasir"

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    Plasmodium Vivax Duffy Binding Protein Copy Number Variation and their Effects on Reticulocyte Invasion in Selected Parts of Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2024-01) Yasin Nasir; Alemayehu Godana; Fitsum Girma
    The connection between the Duffy binding protein and the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokine is required for Plasmodium vivax penetration into human reticulocytes. A previous analysis of Plasmodium vivax samples in Ethiopia determined that Duffy binding protein duplications are more prevalent than in any other Plasmodium vivax location. However, its prevalence and importance in large samples remain unclear. Duffy blood group genotyping was done by amplifying the GATA1 transcription factor-binding region of DARC geneamong 349 Plasmodium vivax isolates were determined by a real-time PCR technology. In addition,duplications of Duffy binding protein and their relationship with Duffy-negativity and parasite densitywere examined. Duffy binding protein duplications and Duffy-negative antigens were detected in 74% and 3.2% isolates respectively. Most of the Duffy negative participants were found in Gondar Zuria district (72.7%). To know whether Duffy binding protein amplification contributes to the takeover of Duffy-negative reticulocytes, the relationship between Duffy binding protein copy numbers and Duffy status was investigated using Fisher's exact test and post-hoc tests. Fisher's exact test reveals a significant association (p = 0.000313). In addition, a post-hoc test indicates a significant association between the Duffy binding protein copy numbers (single and 2-3 copy) and the DARC status (p = 0.000281). However, the number of Duffy-negative patients infected by multiple Duffy binding protein copy is small. Therefore, we cannot decide that multiple Duffy binding protein copy number increase parasite's invading ability against Duffy-negative patients. The mean parasite burden differs between Duffy negative and positive in a statistically significant way (P <0.0001). Duffy-negative patients aren't resistant to Plasmodium vivax however; the detailed mechanisms of the infection in Duffy-negative patients remain unclear. In reference to the high rate of Duffy-binding protein duplication, further investigation should be explored by extending study site across Ethiopia by using the most sensitive molecular detection tools known as digital PCR. It is also useful to look into additional parasite ligands related to the invasion of Duffy-negative reticulocytes.