Biochemical markers for strain differentiation in malarial parasites

Genetic differences between micro-organisms can be identified by studying variations in enzyme forms and DNA characteristics. Enzyme electrophoresis has revealed considerable genetic diversity in populations of malarial parasites and has enabled populations reproductively isolated from one another to be identified. Studies on rodent malarial parasites from four regions of Africa have shown that each species and subspecies can be distinguished by its pattern of enzyme forms. In subspecies in which enzyme polymorphism occurs, the frequencies of each combination of enzyme forms suggest an extensive degree of random mating in the population. Populations of Plasmodium falciparum are also enzymically polymorphic, similar enzyme variants being found in isolates from several parts of the world.