Molecular Characterization of Plasmodium Species to Strengthen Malaria Surveillance in Migrant Populations in Honduras

As Honduras approaches malaria elimination, imported infections pose a growing challenge to disease surveillance and control. In this study, we analyzed 14 molecular markers-six from <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> and eight from <i>P. vivax</i>-in samples from local and migrant subjects to assess their utility in differentiating local versus imported infections. All <i>P. falciparum</i> isolates carried the wild-type <i>pfcrt</i> haplotype associated with chloroquine susceptibility. However, polymorphisms in <i>pfmdr1</i>, <i>pfama1</i>, <i>pfglurp</i>, and <i>pfs47</i> revealed distinct genotypes in migrant versus local samples, suggesting external origins. For <i>P. vivax</i>, three novel <i>pvcsp</i> VK210 haplotypes and the first detection of a VK247 variant in Honduras were identified in migrants. Additional novel haplotypes were found in <i>pvmsp1</i>, <i>pvmsp3α</i>, <i>pvmsp3β</i>, <i>pvs47</i>, and <i>pvs48</i>/45. Several of these markers-particularly <i>pfmdr1</i>, <i>pfs47</i>, <i>pvs47</i>, and <i>pvs48</i>/45-proved informative for inferring geographic origin. This study demonstrates the value of molecular surveillance in low-transmission settings, supporting public health efforts by identifying potentially imported cases.