Molecular variation of Plasmodium vivax dehydrofolate reductase in Mexico and Nicaragua contrasts with that occurring in South America

To research mutations associated to pyrimethamine resistance in dihydrofolate reductase (pvdhfr) of Plasmodium vivax from Mexico and Nicaragua and compare it to that reported in the rest of America.Genomic DNA was obtained from P. vivax-infected blood samples. A pvdhfr gene fragment was amplified and sequenced. The identified gene variations were compared to those observed in other affected sites of America.No mutations in pvdhfr were detected in P. vivax from Mexico and Nicaragua. One synonymous change and variation in the repeat domain was detected in Nicaraguan parasites. In South America, a high frequency of variant residues 58R and 117N associated to pyrimethamine resistance was reported.The lack of polymorphisms associated with pyrimethamine resistance suggests that drug-resistant P. vivax has not penetrated Mesoamerica, nor have local parasites been under selective pressure. These data contribute to establish the basis for the epidemiological surveillance of drug resistance.Determinar mutaciones en la dihydrofolato reductasa de P. vivax (Pvdhfr) en parásitos de México y Nicaragua, y comparar con lo reportado en América.Del ADN de sangres infectadas con P. vivax de pacientes, el gen pvdhfr se amplifico y secuenció, y se contrastócon lo observado en América.No se detectaron mutaciones asociadas con la resistencia debida a pirimetamina. Los parásitos de Nicaragua tuvieron una mutación sinónima y variación en la región repetida. Se reportaron frecuentes mutaciones asociadas con la resistencia a la pirimetamina en Sudamérica.La ausencia de polimorfismos en Pvdhfr sugiere que no se han seleccionado ni introducido parásitos resistentes en la zona de estudio, lo que resulta muy útil para la vigilancia epidemiológica.