Aim: In Benin, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been recommended as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria since 2004.The emergence in Southeast Asia of parasites that are resistant to artemisinins poses a serious threat to global control of this disease.The presence of artemisinin resistance genotypes in parasite populations in Benin is currently unknown.The present study investigated the prevalence of relevant K13-propeller gene polymorphisms in parasite isolates from the north-western Dispenser To Pump Hose region of Benin.Method: Plasmodium falciparum isolates were collected from children with a confirmed diagnosis of malaria aged 6 months to 5 years in two towns, Cobly and Djougou, in the north-western part of Benin.
The study was conducted during the rainy season from July to November 2014 in local health facilities.The K13-propeller gene was amplified in parasite isolates using nested PCR and subsequently sequenced.Results: A total of 108 children were recruited into the study.The efficiency of amplification reactions was 72% (78/108).The propeller domain of the K13 gene was successfully sequenced in 78 P.
falciparum isolates; Dishwasher all of them were wild type with no polymorphisms detectable.Conclusion: The absence of mutations in the K13 gene indicates that P.falciparum parasite populations in the study area are still fully susceptible to artemisinins.