Table 1 Potential role of targeted next generation sequencing in addressing malaria research of public health importance in Africa
From: Targeted Next Generation Sequencing for malaria research in Africa: current status and outlook
Scientific objective | Application |
|---|---|
Determination of the frequency and geographic distribution of genetic markers of antimalarial drug resistance | Early detection of drug resistance emergence and surveillance of the geospatial changes of antimalarial drug resistance |
Diversity, frequency and geographic distribution of genetic differences in potential vaccine antigens among malaria parasites, | Support for antigen diversity studies in vaccine development and prediction of vaccine efficacy |
Distribution and quantitative level of parasite DNA in human populations | Estimation of prevalence of submicroscopic infection |
Determination of efficacy of diagnostic tools | Surveillance for geospatial distribution of parasites carrying hrp2/3 deletion Determination of RDT level of sensitivity |
Detection of full range of parasite genotypes in a patient isolate | Increased sensitivity to determine whether parasites recurring after drug treatment are new infections or recrudescence/relapse of initial infections |
Detection of very low levels of parasite DNA in patient samples | Improved detection of parasite prevalence even at low parasitaemia Improved quantitation of delayed parasite clearance |