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dc.contributor.authorNanyunja, Sarah
dc.date.accessioned2014-01-15T13:35:25Z
dc.date.available2014-01-15T13:35:25Z
dc.date.issued2010-09
dc.identifier.citationNanyunja, S. (2010). Genetic diversity of Plasmodium Falciparum infections at varying altitudes in South-Western Uganda. Unpublished master's thesis, Makerere University, Ugandaen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10570/2183
dc.descriptionA dissertation submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Makerere University.en_US
dc.description.abstractPlasmodium falciparum is a highly polymorphic parasite. This sometimes results in a high genetic diversity in the population and high complexity of infections among individuals. Although some studies indicate a relationship between genetic diversity and transmission, there is not much information about the relationship between diversity and complexity infections at varying altitudes; a surrogate for transmission intensity. A retrospective cross-sectional study was done in two districts, Kabale (1700-2200m) and Rukungiri (1400-1600m), in South-western Uganda in 2007 from 10 villages at different altitudes to establish the relationship between diversity and complexity of infections at varying altitudes. A total of 1075 blood samples from members of the selected households were analysed by Paracheck-Pf and PCR. The diversity of Plasmodium falciparum circulating alleles was examined on the basis of the gene encoding merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2) using primers specific for the two allelic families, FC27 and 3D7. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infections by PCR was 8.5% and 18.5% by Paracheck-pf. Examining the districts; in Rukungiri the prevalence was 13.3% by PCR and 29.9% by Paracheck-pf whereas in Kabale the prevalence was 0.7% by PCR and 0.5% by Paracheck-Pf. To assess the variability of circulating alleles, DNA fragments were grouped into classes of 40 base pairs. A total of 14 classes representing parasite populations were identified; 8 classes (60%) for 3D7 and 6 classes (40%) for FC27 family. Infections involving more than one allele in an individual accounted for 30%. The maximum number of alleles in an individual was 4 and the mean complexity of infections was 1.35 ± 0.60. The mean number of alleles (COI) at the different altitudes were compared, and a regression analysis revealed no significant association between the two p = 0.931). This study established the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infections in Kabale (<1%) and Rukungiri (~9%) and also demonstrated that no relationship exists between geneticdiversity and complexity of Plasmodium falciparum with increasing altitude. However, more studies are required in areas of higher malaria endemicities and a wider range of altitudes to evaluate this relationship further.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMakerere Universityen_US
dc.subjectPlasmodium falciparumen_US
dc.subjectPlasmodium infectionsen_US
dc.titleGenetic diversity of Plasmodium Falciparum infections at varying altitudes in South-Western Ugandaen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US


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