Absence of K13 gene mutations among artesunate/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment failures of Sudanese Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Damazin, southeast Sudan.

Background: The emergence of resistant parasites to artemisinin poses a threat to malaria treatment. The study aimed to investigate K13 gene mutations in Plasmodium falciparum artesunate (AS)/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) efficacy study in Sudan.

Methods: A total of 31 (14 failures and 17 adequate clinical and parasitological response [ACPR]) pretreatment dried blood samples from patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria treated with AS/SP were examined. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing of the K13 gene was performed.

Results: PCR products were obtained from 30 (96.8%) samples and sequencing was successful in 28 (90.3%). No mutation of the K13 gene was recorded in the treatment failure group. A single mutation (C>T; A621V) in one ACPR patient sample was detected.

Conclusion: There is no evidence of K13 mutation among AS/SP treatment failure patients. A single mutation of the K13 gene not linked to treatment failure has been detected.