Transmission of Plasmodium vivax in Duffy-negative individuals in central Sudan

Abstract

Background: Due to the recently observed rise in Plasmodium vivax incidence in Sudan and reported transmission in Duffy-negative individuals; we aimed to assess the possibility of P. vivax transmission in Duffy-negative individuals in Gezira state, central Sudan. Method: A total of 126 suspected malaria patients were diagnosed with P. vivax infection using microscopy, RDT and PCR. PCR-RFLP was used to genotype participants Duffy status. Results: Forty eight (38%) were positive for P. vivax infection by PCR. Four patients (8.3%) were homozygous Duffy-negative. Conclusion: These results confirm that P. vivax can infect Duffy-negative individuals, suggesting alternative mechanisms to bind and invade erythrocytes.