Molecular surveillance of the Pfmdr1 N86Y allele among Congolese pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria

Abstract Background: Malaria in pregnancy is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality Regular surveillance of artemisinin−based combination therapy tolerance or resistance molecular makers is vital for effective malaria treatment, control and eradication programmes. P. falciparum multiple drug resistance-1 gene ( Pfmdr1 ) N86Y mutation is associated with reduced susceptibility to lumefantrine . This study assessed the prevalence of Pfmdr1 N86Y in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Methods: A total 1001 of P. falciparum− infected blood samples obtained from asymptomatic malaria pregnant women having a normal child delivery at the Madibou Integrated Health Center were analysed. Pfmdr1 N86Y genotyping was conducted using PCR-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: The wild type Pfmdr1 N86 allele was predominant (>68 %) in this study whereas a few isolates carrying the either the mutant allele ( Pfmdr1 86Y) alone or both alleles (mixed genotype). The dominance of the wildtype allele ( pfmdr1 N86) indicates the plausible decline P. falciparum susceptibility to lumefantrine. Conclusion: This study gives an update on the prevalence of Pfmdr1 N86Y alleles in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. It also raises concern on the imminent emergence of resistance against artemether−lumefantrine in this setting. Our study underscores the importance to regular artemether−lumefantrine efficacy monitoring to inform malaria control programme of the Republic of Congo.