High frequency of the Duffy-negative genotype and absence of Plasmodium vivax infections in Ghana

Abstract Background Recent studies from different malaria-endemic regions including western Africa have now shown that Plasmodium vivax can infect red blood cells (RBCs) and cause clinical disease in Duffy-negative people, though the phenotype was thought to confer complete refractoriness against invasion with P. . The actual prevalence of local populations Ghana is unknown little information available about distribution Duffy genotypes. aim this study assess both asymptomatic symptomatic outpatients genotypes Ghana. Methods DNA extracted dried spots (DBS) collected 952 subjects (845 malaria patients 107 persons) nine locations species identification carried out by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification small-subunit (SSU) rRNA genes. For detection, a second PCR central region Pvcsp gene out. group genotyping performed allele-specific detect presence FY ES allele. Results No cases were detected any samples methods used. Majority infections (542, 94.8%) patient due falciparum only 1 infection (0.0017%) malariae, 2 (0.0034%) ovale case mixed identified. Of tested for allele all sites, 90.5% (862/952) had All positive genotyped as FY*B-33 / (Duffy-negative homozygous) therefore classified Fy(a?b?). Conclusions PCRs majority lack observed be attributed high frequency silences erythroid expression Duffy. These results provide insights on host susceptibility not been investigated before.