A PCR method for molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum Msp-1

Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) of Plasmodium falciparum is a strong malaria vaccine candidate. However, MSP-1 exhibits extensive antigenic polymorphism, an issue which may compromise the development of effective vaccine based on this molecule. Since polymorphic nature of MSP-1 has not been fully understood in endemic areas of malaria, variation of the MSP-1 gene (Msp-1) must be studied in detail in natural parasite populations. Here, a PCR-based method for determination of P. falciparum Msp-1 haplotype is described, which can detect up to 24 different haplotypes per infected person. The method can be applied to various purposes of molecular epidemiology of not only Msp-1 haplotype but the genetic structure of P. falciparum populations.