Population genomics diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in malaria patients  attending Okelele Health Centre, Okelele, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Olatunji Matthew Kolawole1 , Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu, Yetunde Adeola Olukosi , Tolulope Ololade Oloyede
1. Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health Research Group, Department of
Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
2. Paediatrics Department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
3. Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos

Abstract
Background: Plasmodium falciparum, the most dangerous malaria parasite species to humans remains an important public health concern in Okelele, a rural community in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. There is however little information about the genetic  diversity of Plasmodium falciparumin Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the population genomic diversity of Plasmodium falciparumin malaria patients attending Okelele Community Healthcare Centre, Okelele, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Methods:In this study, 50 Plasmodium falciparumstrains Merozoite Surface Protein 1, Merozoite Surface Protein 2 and Glutamate
Rich Protein were analysed from Okelele Health Centre, Okelele, Ilorin, Nigeria. Genetic diversity of P. falciparumisolates were  analysed from nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) of the MSP-1 (K1, MAD 20 and RO33), MSP-2 (FC27 and 3D7) and  Glutamate Rich Protein allelic families respectively.

Results: Polyclonal infections were more in majority of the patients for MSP-1 allelic families while monoclonal infections were
more for MSP-2 allelic families. Multiplicity of infection for MSP-1, MSP-2 and GLURP were 1.7, 1.8 and 2.05 respectively

Conclusion:There is high genetic diversity in MSP – 2 and GLURP allelic families of Plasmodium falciparumisolates from Okelele
Health Centre, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, Merozoite Surface Protein, genetic diversity