Absence of K13 Polymorphism in Plasmodium falciparum from Brazilian Areas Where the Parasite Is Endemic

Abstract

<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> artemisinin-resistant parasites can be evaluated by examining polymorphisms in the kelch (<i>PfK13</i>) domain. A total of 69 samples from patients with falciparum malaria were analyzed. All samples were from areas in states in Brazil where the parasite was endemic: Acre (<i>n</i> = 14), Amapá (<i>n</i> = 15), Amazonas (<i>n</i> = 30), and Pará (<i>n</i> = 10). After DNA alignment with the 3D7 reference sequence, all samples were found to be wild type. These data provide a baseline for <i>PfK13</i> and reinforce the pertinence of artemisinin combination therapy in Brazilian areas.