A shared Asian origin of the triple-mutant dhfr allele in Plasmodium falciparum from sites across Africa Maïga, O. Djimde, A. A. Hubert, V. Renard, E. /Aubouy, Agnès Kironde, F. Nsimba, B. Koram, K. Doumbo, O. K. Bras, J. Clain, J. Background. Usefulness of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine as first-line therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy throughout sub-Saharan Africa is compromised by the spread of dhfr alleles associated with pyrimethamine resistance. A predominant haplotype associated with the N51I+C59R+S108N triple-mutant dhfr allele has been reported recently in 4 African countries. A more comprehensive picture of the evolution of this mutant allele in Africa is lacking. Methods. Seventy-five P. falciparum isolates carrying the wild-type dhfr allele and 204 carrying the triple-mutant dhfr allele from 11 African countries were selected. The genetic diversity of the chromosomes bearing these alleles was analyzed with 4 microsatellite markers closely linked to the dhfr gene. Results. Seventy-three different 4-locus haplotypes carrying the wild-type dhfr allele were found. By contrast, 175 ( 85%) of 204 isolates carrying the triple-mutant dhfr allele shared a unique haplotype, identical to the one identified in Thailand. For the remaining triple-mutant isolates and one isolate with the quadruple-mutant dhfr allele ( N51I+C59R+S108N+I164L), haplotypes were closely related to the predominant haplotype by mutation or recombination. Conclusions. Migration of parasites carrying an ancestral triple-mutant dhfr allele drives the spread of dhfr alleles associated with pyrimethamine resistance throughout West and Central Africa. 2007 text https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00001707 PAR00001707 Maïga O., Djimde A. A., Hubert V., Renard E., Aubouy Agnès, Kironde F., Nsimba B., Koram K., Doumbo O. K., Bras J., Clain J.. A shared Asian origin of the triple-mutant dhfr allele in Plasmodium falciparum from sites across Africa. 2007, 196 (1), 165-172 EN BENIN CAMEROUN CONGO COTE D'IVOIRE GABON GUINEE MALI SENEGAL OUGANDA COMORES