Complexity of Infection and <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> Circumsporozoite Protein Diversity Prior to Malaria Vaccine Implementation in Kaele Health District, Cameroon, 2022-2023.

ABSTRACT: Malaria remains a major public health concern in Cameroon, with Plasmodium falciparum responsible for most morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five. In response to rising cases, Cameroon began implementing the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in early 2024. Given the vaccine's strain-specific efficacy, understanding antigenic diversity and complexity of infection (COI) is critical for evaluating long-term impact. We analyzed 100 P. falciparum-positive dried blood spots collected in Mapoussere, Kaele Health District (2022-2023). Using the 4CAST amplicon sequencing assay, we targeted four genes: csp (circumsporozoite protein), ama (apical membrane antigen 1), sera2 (serine repeat antigen 2), and trap (thrombospondin-related anonymous

SUBMITTER: Ali IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12870600 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature