A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF VARIANT K ALLELE - MEROZOITE SURFACE PROTEIN 1 OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM AMONG PATIENTS IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE

Genetic polymorphism imposes a huge challenge in quest for effective vaccines, and enhanced malaria control. This research aimed at detecting frequency of the K allele - msp-1 gene in malaria infected patients. A total of 25 samples from children (52% males and 48% females) from ages 5 and below was used. Malaria parasites identification was carried out using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) technique. Genotyping of Plasmodium specie was done by Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR). Results from RDT showed 48% of the sampleswere infected with plasmodium falciparum,24% in both males and females respectively.PCR showed that the Msp variant k is more prevalent in males than females with the percentage of 20% and 16% respectively. Molecular diagnostic test is more precise and accurate. Further research should be made on the prevalence of the Msp variant k, for enhanced malaria control.