Understanding malaria parasite populations and outbreaks in Papua New Guinea

Microsatellite analysis has previously demonstrated that Plasmodium falciparum populations on the north coast of PNG are organised into distinct subpopulations. If this pattern is observed throughout PNG, maps of population structure may guide malaria control programmes by identifying isolated populations and major routes of transmission. Moreover, the data will provide a framework upon which the origins of imported infections and outbreaks in non-endemic areas can be determined. In this first stage of a much larger study, we have two main objectives: (i) to investigate the population genomics of P. falciparum in PNG and (ii) to develop SNP markers for defining the population structure of P. falciparum in PNG on a fine scale. Where samples were found to contain P. vivax data, for example due to mixed infection, this data was contributed to the P. vivax Genome Variation project.

Summary

Samples/Year

QC Pass

Samples that passed Whole-Genome Sequencing Quality Control (QC)

Resistance

Predicted resistance status for main antimalarial drug treatments from molecular markers

Locations

East Sepik

Samples/Year

QC Pass

Samples that passed Whole-Genome Sequencing Quality Control (QC)

Resistance

Predicted resistance status for main antimalarial drug treatments from molecular markers

Milne Bay

Samples/Year

QC Pass

Samples that passed Whole-Genome Sequencing Quality Control (QC)

Resistance

Predicted resistance status for main antimalarial drug treatments from molecular markers