Detection of Artemisinin Target Gene (PFATP6) in Plasmodium Falciparum Infections among Asymptomatic Patients Attending NDUTH, FMC and General Hospital in Bayelsa State

Malaria infections have proven to be a burden to Africa and the world in general. This study was carried out between January and October 2018 to detect Artemisinin target gene (PFATP6) in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from blood samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Two hundred and fifty (250) blood samples were collected from Federal Medical Centre, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital and General Hospital in Yenagoa, Okolobiri and Amassoma community respectively in Bayelsa State and were immediately taken to the laboratory for analysis for the presence of malaria parasites using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits, Conventional Microscopy and molecular analysis using Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. The findings showed that out of 250 subjects screened, 23 (9.2 %) subjects were positive for malaria parasites using both Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit and Conventional Microscopy. Observed showed that of the 23 positive samples, three (3) others were positive by RDT only giving 26 (10.4 %) positive samples for RDT and four (4) other samples were positive to Conventional Microscopy only giving 27 (10.8 %). Twenty (20) out of the 23 positive samples were subjected to Nested-PCR amplification using specific primers after the parasite DNA extraction from the blood samples. Thirteen 13 (65 %) out of 20 were positive for the Plasmodium falciparum Artemisinin target gene (PFATP6). In conclusion, this study revealed the presence of the Artemisinin target gene (PFATP6) in Plasmodium falciparum in Bayelsa state and elucidated a possible reason for the failure of Artemisinin-based chemotherapy in Clinical practice.