The geography of malaria genetics in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A complex and fragmented landscape

摘要: Understanding how malaria parasites move between populations is important, particularly given the potential for to be reintroduced into areas where it was previously eliminated. We examine distribution of genetics across seven sites within Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) and two nearby countries, Ghana Kenya, in order understand relatedness varies space, whether there are barriers flow DRC or borders. Parasite DNA retrieved from dried blood spots 7 Demographic Health Survey sample clusters DRC. Malaria genetic characteristics Kenya were also obtained. For each 9 geographic (7 DRC, 1 Kenya), a pair-wise RST statistic calculated, indicating distance found those locations. Mapping spatial extent study area indicates complex landscape, proximal may relatively high (RST > 0.64) low (RST < 0.05), distal exhibit both similarity. Mantel's tests suggest that differ as distances increase. Principal Coordinate Analysis suggests genetically related samples not co-located. Barrier analysis reveals no significant gene have fragmented landscape. Limited exchange genes space reflected greater isolated at distances. There is, however, evidence close ties distally located locations, movement being driven by factors other than decay. This research demonstrates contributions disease ecology landscape can make understanding evolutionary dynamics infectious diseases.