Virulence of malaria is associated with differential expression of Plasmodium falciparum var gene subgroups in a case-control study.

ABSTRACT: Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is a major pathogenicity factor in falciparum malaria that mediates cytoadherence. PfEMP1 is encoded by approximately 60 var genes per haploid genome. Most var genes are grouped into 3 subgroups: A, B, and C. Evidence is emerging that the specific expression of these subgroups has clinical significance. Using field samples from children from Papua New Guinea with severe, mild, and asymptomatic malaria, we compared proportions of transcripts of var groups, as determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We found a significantly higher proportion of var group B transcripts in children with clinical malaria (mild and severe), whereas a large proportion of var group C transcripts was found in asymptomatic children. These da

SUBMITTER: Kaestli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2877257 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature