Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium vivax Causing Epidemic Malaria in the Republic of Korea
10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.545
- Author:
Young Yil BAHK
1
;
Jeonga KIM
;
Seong Kyu AHN
;
Byoung Kuk NA
;
Jong Yil CHAI
;
Tong Soo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Genetic diversity;
vivax population;
Korea
- MeSH:
Asymptomatic Infections;
Diagnosis;
Epidemiology;
Genetic Variation;
Human Migration;
Incidence;
Korea;
Malaria;
Malaria, Vivax;
Parasites;
Plasmodium vivax;
Plasmodium;
Population Characteristics;
Republic of Korea
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2018;56(6):545-552
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Plasmodium vivax is more challenging to control and eliminate than P. falciparum due to its more asymptomatic infections with low parasite densities making diagnosis more difficult, in addition to its unique biological characteristics. The potential re-introduction of incidence cases, either through borders or via human migrations, is another major hurdle to sustained control and elimination. The Republic of Korea has experienced re-emergence of vivax malaria in 1993 but is one of the 32 malaria-eliminating countries to-date. Despite achieving successful nationwide control and elimination of vivax malaria, the evolutionary characteristics of vivax malaria isolates in the Republic of Korea have not been fully understood. In this review, we present an overview of the genetic variability of such isolates to increase understanding of the epidemiology, diversity, and dynamics of vivax populations in the Republic of Korea.
