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. 2020 Jun 19;98(8):558–568F. doi: 10.2471/BLT.20.250621

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum lacking histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3: a systematic review

Prévalence de Plasmodium falciparum sans protéines 2 et 3 riches en histidine: revue systématique

Prevalencia del Plasmodium falciparum que carece de las proteínas 2 y 3 ricas en histidina: un análisis sistemático

انتشار المتصورة المنجلية ( الملاريا الخبيثة ) التي تفتقر للبروتينات الغنية بالهيستدين 2 و3: مراجعة منهجية

缺失富组氨酸蛋白 2 和 3 的恶性疟原虫感染率：系统评审

Распространенность Plasmodium falciparum с отсутствием богатых гистидином белков 2 и 3: систематический обзор

Rebecca Thomson a, Jonathan B Parr b, Qin Cheng c, Stella Chenet d, Mark Perkins e, Jane Cunningham f,✉
PMCID: PMC7411324  PMID: 32773901

Abstract

Objective

To calculate prevalence estimates and evaluate the quality of studies reporting Plasmodium falciparum lacking histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3, to inform an international response plan.

Methods

We searched five online databases, without language restriction, for articles reporting original data on Plasmodium falciparum-infected patients with deletions of the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes (pfhrp2/3). We calculated prevalence estimates of pfhrp2/3 deletions and mapped the data by country. The denominator was all P. falciparum-positive samples testing positive by microscopy and confirmed positive by species-specific polymerase chain reaction testing (PCR). If microscopy was not performed, we used the number of samples based on a different diagnostic method or PCR alone. We scored studies for risk of bias and the quality of laboratory methods using a standardized scoring system.

Findings

A total of 38 articles reporting 55 studies from 32 countries and one territory worldwide were included in the review. We found considerable heterogeneity in the populations studied, methods used and estimated prevalence of P. falciparum parasites with pfhrp2/3 deletions. The derived prevalence of pfhrp2 deletions ranged from 0% to 100%, including focal areas in South America and Africa. Only three studies (5%) fulfilled all seven criteria for study quality.

Conclusion

The lack of representative surveys or consistency in study design impairs evaluations of the risk of false-negative results in malaria diagnosis due to pfhrp2/3 deletions. Accurate mapping and strengthened monitoring of the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 deletions is needed, along with harmonized methods that facilitate comparisons across studies.

Introduction

Despite improvements in malaria control over the past decade, malaria caused an estimated 405 000 deaths worldwide in 2018.1 In 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines established that all cases of suspected malaria should be confirmed by microscopy or an antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic test before treatment.2 Malaria rapid diagnostic tests contain one or a combination of antibodies that recognize specific plasmodial antigens. These antigens include histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) which is specific to P. falciparum, and genus- and species-specific lactate dehydrogenase or aldolase, which are produced by all four major human-infecting Plasmodium species.3 The number of rapid diagnostic tests procured has increased significantly, from 10 million in 2002 to 412 million in 2018.1 The great majority of these tests detect an HRP2 target, alone or with another antigen, with 15 of 16 (94%) WHO-prequalified malaria tests targeting HRP2 for P. falciparum detection.4

Rapid diagnostic tests targeting HRP2 came to dominate the market because they are generally more sensitive than other assays and tend to be more heat stable.5,6 The presence of repetitive epitopes in HRP2 provides numerous antibody binding sites and enables the detection of low levels of protein. The monoclonal antibodies used in HRP2-detecting tests often cross-react with HRP3, encoded by the pfhrp3 gene,7,8 particularly at parasite counts above 1000 per µL of blood.9 HRP3 is a structural homologue of HRP2 that shares similar amino-acid repeats.8,10

Deletions in the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3) genes as a cause of false-negative rapid diagnostic tests was first recognized in 2010 in the Peruvian Amazon basin.11 Molecular testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed P. falciparum infection, but also that pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes were deleted in 41% (61 samples) and 70% (103 samples) of these 148 samples, respectively.11 Additional analyses have confirmed a significant increase in the frequency of samples showing pfhrp2/3 deletions in the same area.12,13 More recently, malaria parasites with pfhrp2/3 gene deletions have been documented in other parts of the world including East,9,14 Central,15 West16 and Southern Africa,17 Asia18 and the Middle East.19 Most concerning was a study in Eritrea that reported samples from 62% (31/50) of microscopy-confirmed P. falciparum patients testing negative for pfhrp2.20 Collectively, these reports suggest a global threat to the continued use of HRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests.

In 2014, recommendations on investigating and accurate reporting of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions were published.21 Additional criteria have been proposed in more recent studies, including parasite quantification by microscopy or quantitative PCR to rule out false-negative pfhrp2 detection in samples below the limit of detection of the pfhrp2 assay,9 and analysis of pfhrp3.22 However, we have found no assessments of the uptake of these recommendations.

There are increasing numbers of reports documenting the threat of mutant parasite genes for malaria case management. However, due to different study designs and laboratory methods it is difficult to compare findings across studies and accurately understand this threat. We aimed to compile all published studies on the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions and assess the quality of methods and reporting. We used our findings to paint a global picture of the current status of pfhrp2/3 deletions to guide decisions on the locations and methods of future surveys.

Methods

Search strategy and data extraction

We carried out a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement.23 We made a search of the online databases of PubMed®, Scopus, LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), WHO Global Index Medicus and the Web of Science for articles published in any language between 1 January 2010 and 20 August 2019. We used the search terms “[histidine* OR hrp* OR pfhrp*] AND [deletion* OR variation OR diversity OR lack] AND [malaria OR falciparum]” to identify articles reporting molecular analysis of P. falciparum parasite samples for pfhrp2/3 deletions. Additional articles were identified through manual searches. Further information about the search criteria are provided in Table 1. Two investigators screened the titles and abstracts of all eligible articles and extracted the following information from the full text: country, study sites, study design, year(s) of data collection, patient symptom status, age range, number of P. falciparum-positive patients, type of blood sample, which samples underwent molecular analysis, number of samples with pfhrp2/3 deletions, laboratory methods (seven items; Box 1) and analysis of flanking genes. Discrepancies in the data were double-checked.

Table 1. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for selection of studies in the systematic review of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2/3 gene deletions.

Characteristic Included Excluded
Study population All ages and populations None
Study outcome Percentage of samples testing negative for pfhrp2 gene, with or without analysis of pfhrp3 gene Studies which analysed variation in pfhrp2 genetic sequence only
Method of confirmation of pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 gene deletion Molecular analysis of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions Suspected deletions based on rapid diagnostic testing, microscopy or serological testing only
Study design All, including case studies, cross-sectional or convenience studies None
Type of paper Published articles of an original study Review articles, doctoral theses, abstracts with no corresponding published article
Patient status Symptomatic suspected malaria patients or asymptomatic people None
Area of data collection All countries and regions None
Date of study publication 1 January 2010 to 20 August 2019 Prior to 1 January 2010
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Box 1. Assessment of study quality in the systematic review of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2/3 gene deletions.

We assessed a total of seven criteria for quality of laboratory methods, five based on recommendations from previous reasearch21 and two additional criteria.9,22 The number and percentage of studies complying with each quality criterion were as follows (n = 55 studies):

  1. Quality-assured microscopy: 45 studies (82%).

  2. Plasmodium falciparum species confirmation by PCR test: 55 studies (100%).

  3. Detection of two other single-copy genes: 21 studies (38%).

  4. HRP2 detection by serological analysis or using a second brand of WHO-prequalified HRP2-detecting rapid diagnostic test: 13 studies (24%).

  5. Detection of pfhrp3 gene by PCR test: 46 studies (84%).

  6. Use of WHO-prequalified rapid diagnostic test: 27 studies (49%).

  7. Parasite density quantification: 36 studies (66%).

We awarded one point per criterion satisfied and assigned a total quality score for each study (from 1 to 7), as follows:

Score 1: 0 studies (0%); Score 2: 6 studies (11%); Score 3: 5 studies (9%); Score 4: 16 studies (30%); Score 5: 15 studies (27%); Score 6: 10 studies (18%); Score 7: 3 studies (6%).

HRP2: histidine-rich protein 2; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; WHO: World Health Organization.

Prevalence estimates

To maximize consistency in calculating prevalence across studies, we used the total number of P. falciparum samples testing positive by microscopy and confirmed P. falciparum-positive by species-specific PCR as the denominator. We did this regardless of whether all or only a subset of patient samples were tested for pfhrp2/3 deletion by molecular analysis or whether it was the denominator reported in the original publication. If microscopy was not performed, we used the number of samples based on a different diagnostic method or PCR alone. We did not make prevalence estimates from case reports. All prevalence estimates in this review were therefore derived using a standardized denominator and not necessarily the same prevalence as reported in the original article.

Where researchers collected samples from multiple countries, or used different sampling methods or time frames, we separated the results by country or sample collection group to present prevalence data as separate studies. We presented compiled results for studies which collected samples at one point in time from multiple sites with the same sampling design. When we combined data from different studies by country, we weighted the percentage of samples with pfhrp2 gene deletions to account for differing sample sizes. We used the middle year of the data collection period for studies spanning multiple years.

Assessment of study quality and bias

We assigned a total quality score from 1 to 7 to each study, based on fulfilment of seven criteria for quality of laboratory methods (Box 1).

We assessed study bias as a score from 1 (lowest bias) to 4 (highest bias). The values show the potential bias of the derived prevalence estimate from the true prevalence in the population, depending on the sample population (symptomatic, asymptomatic, mixed or unrepresentative) and samples tested for pfhpr2/3 genes (all, discordant only or another subset). Studies which analysed all samples have a lower bias score than those which only analysed discordant or a subset of samples, while studies which included both symptomatic and asymptomatic samples have a lower study bias than those which only analysed samples from symptomatic people or an unrepresentative sample.

Results

After screening 115 articles, we included 38 articles in the review (Fig. 1).11–20,24–50 Within the articles we identified 55 distinct studies conducted in 32 countries and one territory in the regions of Africa, Americas, South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean (Table 2; available at: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/98/8/20-250621).

Fig. 1.

Flowchart of the literature search in the systematic review of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2/3 gene deletions

Note: One article reported samples collected from three countries but did not present the results separately, so it is presented as one study.

Fig. 1

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Table 2. Studies reporting pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions and derived prevalence estimates by region in the systematic review of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2/3 gene deletions.

Region and study Country or territory Year of data collection Study sites Study design Sample populationa Samples testedb Total no. of P. falciparum positive patientsc No. (%) of samples with gene deletions
 Range of pfhrp2 deletion prevalence across study sites Quality score Study bias score
Pfhrp2 Pfhrp3 Pfhrp2 and 3
Africa
Koita et al., 201241 Mali 1996 Sirakoro, Bancoumana, Doneguebougou, Bamako Cross-sectional Mixed Discordant 480 10d (2) NA NA NA 3 3
Ramutton et al., 201235 Democratic Republic of the Congo 2005–2010 Kinshasa Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 6e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Ramutton et al., 201235 Gambia 2005–2010 Banjul Health facility (Antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 2e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Ramutton et al., 201235 Kenya 2005–2010 Kilifi Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 12e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Ramutton et al., 201235 Mozambique 2005–2010 Beira Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 19e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Ramutton et al., 201235 Rwanda 2005–2010 Kigali, Nyanza Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 15e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Ramutton et al., 201235 United Republic of Tanzania 2005–2010 Teule, Korogwe Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 18e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Ramutton et al., 201235 Uganda 2005–2010 Mbarare Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Unrepresentative Subsample 5e 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Wurtz et al., 201343 Senegal 2009–2012 Dakar Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Symptomatic All 125 3 (2) 16 (13) NA NA 5 2
Laban et al., 201545 Zambia 2008–2012 Choma Cross-sectional Mixed All 61 NA NA 12f (20) NA 4 1
Amoah et al., 201616 Ghana 2015 Abura Dunkwa, Obom Malaria screening programme Mixed All 288 76 (26) 85 (30) 37 (13) 22–40 6 1
Parr et al., 201715 Democratic Republic of the Congo 2013–2014 Kinshasa, Kwango, Kwilu, Mai-Ndombe, Kongo Central, Equateur, Mongala, Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, Tshuapa, Kasai, Kasai-Central, Kasai-Oriental, Lomami, Sankuru, Haut-Katanga, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, Tanganyka, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, Ituri, Tshopo, Sud-Kivu Cross-sectional Mixed Discordant 2752g 149h (5)i NA 5 (< 1) 0–22 5 3
Beshir et al., 20179 Kenya 2014 Mbita Cross-sectional in schools (mosquito behaviour study) Asymptomatic All 131 8 (6) 1 (1) 0 (0) NA 6 2
Beshir et al., 20179 Kenya 2007–2008 Kilifi Health facility Symptomatic All 49 1 (2) 1 (2) 0 (0) NA 4 2
Gupta et al., 201717 Mozambique 2010–2016 Manhiça, Magude Cross-sectional Mixed Discordant 1162 1j (< 1) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 6 3
Kozycki et al., 201714 Rwanda 2014–2015 Busogo, Kiribizi, Bukara Health facility Symptomatic Discordant 3291 32k (1) NA NA NA 4 4
Menegon et al., 201736 Eritrea 2013–2014 Gash Barka, Debun Unknown Unknown All 144 14 (10) 62 (43) 13 (9) 9–22 4 2
Ranadive et al., 201737 Eswatini 2012–2014 Lubombo Health facility Symptomatic Discordant 162c 0l (0) 1 (1) 0 (0) NA 4 2
Berhane et al., 201820 Eritrea 2016 Northern Red Sea, Anseba, Gash Barka, Debub Health facility Symptomatic All 50 31 (62) 41 (82) 31 (62) 42–81 7 2
Nderu et al., 201839 Kenya 2007–2016 Busia, Mbita, Nyando, Tiwi, Msambweni Drug efficacy trial Symptomatic All 400 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Owusu et al., 201838 Ghana 2015 Greater Accra, Eastern region Cross-sectional study among patients attending antiretroviral therapy clinics Unrepresentative Discordant 62 6m(10) 8 (13) 6 (10) NA 4 3
Willie et al., 201840 Madagascar 2014–2015 Yurimaguas Health facility Symptomatic All 73 0 (0) NA NA NA 3 2
Funwei et al., 201942 Nigeria 2013–2014 Elata Ibadan Health facility Symptomatic Discordant 340 11n (3) 4 (1) 11 (3) NA 6 4
Kobayashi et al., 201946 Zambia 2009–2011 Choma Cross-sectional Mixed Discordant 45 3o (7) NA 0 (0) NA 5 3
Kobayashi et al., 201946 Zambia 2015–2017 Nchelenge Cross-sectional Mixed Discordant 1144 0p (0) NA 0 (0) NA 6 3
Americas
Gamboa et al., 201011 Peru 2003–2007 Iquitos area, Loreto, Amazonas, Cajamarca Health facility Unknown All 148 61 (41) 103 (70) 31 (22) 36–100 4 2
Gamboa et al., 201011 Peru 2007 Iquitos Active case detection survey Symptomatic All 9 8 (90) 6 (67) 4 (44) NA 7 2
Houzé et al., 201125 Brazil 2011 Amazon region Case study Symptomatic Discordant 1 1q 1q 1q NA 5 4
Maltha et al., 201212 Peru 2010–2011 Iquitos area Health facility, active case detection Symptomatic All 74 19 (26) 34 (44) 19 (26) NA 6 2
Akinyi et al., 201313 Peru 1998–2001 Loreto, Piura Unknown Symptomatic All 92c 19 (21) NA NA 0–36 2 2
Akinyi et al., 201313 Peru 2003–2005 Iquitos Unknown Symptomatic All 96c 39 (41) NA NA NA 2 2
Trouvay et al., 201329 French Guiana 2009 St Luarent du Maroni, Cayenne, St Georges de l’Oyapack, Saul, Antecume Pata Unknown Symptomatic All 140c 0 (0) 4 (3) 0 (0) NA 2 2
Trouvay et al., 201329 French Guiana 2010–2011 Cayenne Hospital Health facility survey Symptomatic All 81 0 (0) 6 (7) 0 (0) NA 5 2
Abdallah et al., 201532 Honduras 2008–2009 Puerto Lempira Health facility (antimalarial drug trial) Symptomatic All 68c 0 (0) 30 (44) 0 (0) NA 2 2
Akinyi Okoth et al., 201531 Guyana 2009–2011 Georgetown (Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro-Siparuni) Health facility survey Symptomatic All 97 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) NA 3 2
Akinyi Okoth et al., 201531 Suriname 2009–2011 Sipaliwini, Brokopondo Health facility survey, active case detection Symptomatic All 78 11 (14) 3 (4) 2 (3) 0–48 3 2
Baldeviano et al., 201533 Peru 2010–2012 Tumbes Health facility during malaria outbreak Symptomatic All 54 54 (100) NA NA NA 2 2
Murillo Solano et al., 201526 Colombia 2008–2009 Cordoba, Narino, Valle del Cauca, Unknown Symptomatic All 75 4 (5) 40 (53) 4 (5) 0–33 6 2
Murillo Solano et al., 201526 Colombia 1999–2007 Amazonas, Guaviare, Meta Epidemiological studies Symptomatic All 25 14 (56) 12 (48) 9 (36) 0–67 4 2
Sáenz et al., 201528 Ecuador 2012–2013 Esmereldas Malaria outbreak surveillance Symptomatic All 32 1 (3) 1 (3) 1 (3) NA 4 2
Dorado et al., 201627 Colombia 2003–2010 Antiquia, Amazonas, Guaviare, Narino, Choco, Cauca, Valle Unknown Symptomatic All 253 15 (6) 106 (42) 15 (6) 0–54 4 2
Dorado et al., 201627 Colombia 2011–2012 Antiquia, Amazonas, Guaviare, Narino, Choco, Cauca, Valle Health facility survey Symptomatic All 112 0 (0) 51 (42) 0 (0) NA 6 2
Okoth et al., 201634 Peru 2013 Cusco Outbreak surveillance Symptomatic All 4 4 (100) 4 (100) 4 (100) NA 4 2
Rachid Viana et al., 201724 Bolivia (Plurinational State of) 2010–2012 Beni department Health facility survey Symptomatic All 25c 1 (4) 17 (68) 0 (0) NA 3 2
Rachid Viana et al., 201724 Brazil 2010–2012 Acre, Para, Rondonia Health facility survey Symptomatic All 198 27 (14) 71 (36) 43 (23) 0–32 4 2
Fontecha et al., 201830 Guatemala 2015 Escuintla Malaria surveillance survey Symptomatic All 21 3 (14) 19 (91) 3 (14) NA 4 2
Fontecha et al., 201830 Honduras 2011–2017 Gracias a Dios, Colon, Antantida, Cortes, Islas de la Bahia Health facility survey for drug resistance Symptomatic All 52 13 (25) 50 (96) 13 (25) 0–40 4 2
Fontecha et al., 201830 Nicaragua 2015 North Atlantic Autonomous Region Malaria surveillance survey Symptomatic All 55 17 (31) 48 (87) 11 (20) NA 4 2
South-East Asia
Kumar et al., 201349 India 2010 Chhattisgarh Unknown Symptomatic All 48c 2 (4) 2 (4) 2 (4) NA 6 2
Li et al., 201548 China–Myanmar border, Thailandr 2011–2012 China, Myanmar border and Tak province, Thailand Mass blood survey, unknown Unknown All 97 4 (4) 3s (3) 3 (3) NA 5 2
Bharti et al., 201618 India 2014 Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tripura Health facility Symptomatic Discordant 1521 36t (2) 27 (2) 25 (2) 0–25 6 4
Nima et al., 201747 Bangladesh 2013 Sylhet Case study Symptomatic Discordant 1 1q 1q 1q NA 5 4
Pati et al., 201850 India 2013–2016 Odisha Cross-sectional Symptomatic Discordant 384 38u (10) 24 (6) 17 (4) 8–14 7 4
Eastern Mediterranean
Atroosh et al., 201519 Yemen 2014 Hodeidah, Al-Mahwit Active case detection Symptomatic All 189 9 (5) NA NA NA 4 2
Mussa et al., 201944 Sudan Unrepresentative Omdurman Health facility Symptomatic All 26 9 (35) NA NA NA 2 2
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DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; HRP2: histidine-rich protein 2; NA: not applicable; PCR: polymerase chain reaction.

a Symptomatic: only symptomatic people tested; Mixed: mix of symptomatic and asymptomatic people tested; Asymptomatic: only asymptomatic people tested; Unrepresentative: a subset of people not representative of the population were tested; Unknown: not reported.

b All: all samples underwent molecular analysis; Discordant: only discordant samples tested; Subsample: another subset of samples tested.

c As microscopy was not performed, we used the number of P. falciparum positive cases by PCR as the denominator.

d Only 22 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy-positive samples were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

e Samples testing positive by P. falciparum-specific lactate dehydrogenase rapid diagnostic test and confirmed by PCR. Only those samples with the lowest level of HRP2 were analysed with molecular methods.

f Only the HRP-leader sequence shared by both pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes was tested, so we could not break down results by pfhrp2 or pfhrp3 genes.

g Microscopy-positive and -negative samples were analysed. PCR-positive samples are included here.

h Only 783 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and PCR-positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

i Results differ from those presented in the article as we presented unweighted results.

j Only 69 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy-positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

k Only 138 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy-positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

l Only nine samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and quantitative PCR-positive with a parasite counts > 100 per μL were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

m Only eight samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and PCR positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

n Only 66 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy- or PCR-positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

o Only eight samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and quantitative PCR-positive with pfldh DNA concentration > 0.0001 ng per µL P. falciparum DNA were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

p Only 28 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy-positive with pfldh DNA concentration > 0.0001 ng per µL P. falciparum DNA were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

q We did not present prevalence for case studies.

r Article reported collection of samples from three countries but did not present results separately, so the results have been presented here as one study.

s 97 samples were tested for pfhrp2 deletion, however only the four negative samples were analysed for pfhrp3 deletion. We present results out of the 97 samples analysed.

t Only 50 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy-positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

u Only 58 samples which were rapid diagnostic test-negative and microscopy-positive were analysed for pfhrp2 deletion.

Notes: We calculated the prevalence of gene deletions using all Plasmodium falciparum-positive samples as the denominators. All studies used microscopy with PCR confirmation, except where indicated. In some cases, only rapid diagnostic test-negative, microscopy-positive samples or rapid diagnostic test-negative, PCR-positive samples were analysed for pfhrp2 gene deletion, as indicated in footnotes above. We scored study quality from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest), as described in Box 1, and study bias from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest).

Study characteristics

The included studies showed substantial differences in study design, laboratory methods and data reporting.

Sample populations

The number of samples tested for pfhrp2 ranged from 1 to 783, while the denominator of P. falciparum-positive samples ranged from 1 to 3291 (Table 2). Out of the 55 studies, 36 (65%) analysed blood samples only from people with symptoms of malaria, as part of a prospective or retrospective survey including unbiased cohorts. Samples in these studies were collected from suspected malaria patients presenting to health facilities or through active case detection. Eight studies (15%) included samples from asymptomatic and symptomatic people as part of cross-sectional surveys or malaria screening programmes, while eight other studies (15%) used samples from an unrepresentative sample of participants and three studies (5%) did not specify the symptom status of the participants. One study collected samples from patients with severe malaria only, while one study collected equal numbers of samples from human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -negative children.

In 35 studies (64%) all samples underwent pfhrp2/3 genotyping. Thirteen studies (24%) genotyped discordant samples only. Of these, nine studies analysed only microscopy-positive and HRP2-rapid diagnostic test-negative samples (of which two were case studies including only one sample), while four studies genotyped only samples which were negative by HRP2-rapid diagnostic test and positive by PCR. One article reporting seven studies only genotyped samples showing the lowest HRP2 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Study procedures

Only three studies (5%) fulfilled all seven criteria for quality of procedures (Box 1). While the number of P. falciparum-positive samples was based on microscopy- and PCR-positive results in 45 studies (82%), in nine studies (16%) the denominator was based on PCR results alone, and in one study (2%) it was based on P. falciparum-specific lactate dehydrogenase-based rapid diagnostic tests and confirmed by PCR. The presence of P. falciparum was confirmed most commonly by amplification of the multi-copy 18SrRNA gene. Thirty-four studies (62%) analysed samples from dried blood spots, 13 (24%) used venous blood, seven (13%) used a combination of both and one study (2%) did not provide information on sample type. Forty-six studies (84%) conducted molecular analysis to determine pfhrp3 deletion. One of these studies only genotyped pfhrp3 deletions among samples found to be pfhrp2-negative.

Twenty-one studies (38%) did not amplify any other single-copy genes while 13 studies (24%) amplified one other and 21 studies (38%) amplified at least two other single-copy genes. To rule out negative pfhrp2/3 PCR results being due to parasite density below the limit of detection of the assay, only samples which were positive by other single-copy genes and failed to amplify the pfhrp2/3 gene were considered to be pfhrp2/3-deleted in the 21 studies which conducted this analysis. The most commonly selected genes for confirmation were P. falciparum merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2, and glutamate-rich protein. One study confirmed pfhrp2 deletion by testing for pfhrp3. However, while parasite density was measured in 36 studies, only five studies used these results when determining if a sample was pfhrp2/3-negative. In three studies only samples above a chosen parasite density or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration were tested for pfhrp2, while in one study all samples below 5 parasites per µL of blood were discounted and in one study samples were only included in the original study if they were above 2000 parasites per µL of blood.

Twenty-nine studies (53%) amplified both exons 1 and 2 of the pfhrp2 gene, while 26 studies (47%) amplified only exon 2 and 28 studies (51%) amplified the flanking genes of pfhrp2. The studies that amplified exon 1 were not necessarily those that amplified flanking genes, with 19 studies (35%) amplifying both exon1 and flanking genes.

Prevalence estimates

The derived prevalence of pfhrp2 gene deletions in the 55 studies ranged from 0% to 100% (Table 2). Although we present the overall results by study, 14 studies were conducted over many sites and showed geographically heterogenous results. Further details about the results presented by region are provided in the data repository.51

In Fig. 2 we mapped the geographical distribution of the highest derived prevalence estimate of pfhrp2 gene deletions by study for each country. The highest derived prevalence was above 50% in Colombia, Eritrea and Peru. Fig. 3 plots the weighted average prevalence of pfhrp2 gene deletions for each country and the range by study sites. The weighted average prevalence ranged from 0% to 43%. Average prevalence above 20% was found in Eritrea, Ghana, Nicaragua, Peru and Sudan.

Fig. 2.

Geographical distribution of highest prevalence estimates for Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 gene deletions by study among patients tested at the country level

Notes: We calculated the prevalence of pfhrp2 gene deletions using all Plasmodium falciparum-positive samples as the denominators by country. We used the highest prevalence estimates for each study.

Fig. 2

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Fig. 3.

Weighted average prevalence estimates for Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 gene deletions among patients tested by country

Notes: the prevalence of phfrp2 gene deletions was calculated using the number of Plasmodium falciparum-positive samples as the denominator. In countries with multiple studies prevalence estimates were weighted based on the number of patients tested. Countries with only one study have no bar shown. Cases studies and a study from Zambia that tested for pfhrp2-leader sequences are not included.

Fig. 3

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We plotted the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions by sample size (available in the data repository).52 Five studies had a sample size over 1000, while 36 had sample sizes smaller than 100. All seven studies reporting greater than 50% prevalence of pfhrp2 deletions had a sample size of fewer than 55. Scatter plots of prevalence against time are available in the data repository.53

Risk of bias

Table 2 shows the bias scores of the prevalence estimates from the true prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in the population. Six studies (11%) had a bias score of four while two (4%) had a bias score of one.

Discussion

We found that mutant parasites have been reported from all major malaria-endemic areas, in asymptomatic and symptomatic P. falciparum-positive patients. However, our results also confirm that the full extent of the threat has not yet been characterized. The limited number of well conducted prevalence surveys in malaria-endemic countries indicate geographical variability in the prevalence of mutations in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes and do not completely illuminate the factors driving these differences.

The study has limitations. Although we included only published articles, we were aware of other abstracts and doctoral theses for which relevant data on methods were not available. For manuscripts included in the review, we contacted authors to obtain information not included in the manuscripts; this was not always possible, however, and we therefore occasionally made assumptions about the methods. Survey design and sample populations varied greatly across the included studies. Most studies were not purposely designed for investigating the prevalence of gene deletions and relied on convenience sampling or on secondary analyses of existing specimens. These shortcomings limit our ability to draw conclusions that can inform the use of rapid diagnostic testing, but rather provides guidance for future surveys.

Reconciling the different populations and sample sizes across studies is challenging. First, studies of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients require different interpretations and are difficult to integrate. Samples from asymptomatic patients may have lower parasite densities, resulting in less DNA target for amplification and potentially greater risk of falsely reporting pfhrp2 deletions. This risk is especially high when the investigation does not include amplification of other single-copy genes or does not quantify parasite DNA. Furthermore, little is known about the effect of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions on the virulence of malaria infection. If pfhrp2/3 deletions are associated with less virulent infections, there could be a difference in prevalence between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. We found numerous studies with low sample sizes which may not be representative of the true prevalence of deletions in a population or country.

Second, different selection criteria for pfhrp2/3 genotyping (all malaria suspects or only those with discordant HRP2-based rapid diagnostic test and microscopy and/or PCR results) result in the use of different numerators and denominators for prevalence estimation across studies. Analysis limited to deletions found among discordant samples leads to a higher prevalence of gene deletions being reported. To improve consistency in calculating the prevalence of pfhrp2-negative mutants, we used the total number of samples with confirmed pfhrp2 gene deletions by species-specific PCR as the numerator and the total cohort number of P. falciparum-positive samples by microscopy and/or PCR as the denominator. The WHO-recommended approach of testing only a subset of high-risk (discordant) samples is a more economical way of monitoring the prevalence of gene deletion and targets clinically significant deletions that cause negative test results. WHO recommends using non-exclusive HRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests when the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions causing false-negative test results is greater than 5%.22 Most studies included in this review did not allow us to determine if the WHO threshold had been exceeded. It is well acknowledged that the WHO approach may underestimate the prevalence of pfhrp2 deletions in the parasite population. Samples that are pfhrp2-negative and pfhrp3-positive are not likely to be flagged as high risk or discordant due to the cross-reactivity between HRP2 and HRP3 proteins on many rapid diagnostic test brands. However, this concern does not pose an immediate threat to patients.54 Ideally, all P. falciparum-positive samples should be used as the denominator, determined either by microscopy or a good quality rapid diagnostic test for detecting P. falciparum-specific lactate dehydrogenase.

The study bias scores show the potential bias of the prevalence estimates from the true prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in the population, but not necessarily the bias of deletions causing false-negative results (which is more important for determining the effect on malaria case management). Ultimately, high-throughput screening options could become more readily available and more commonly used. If so, the true prevalence of pfhrp2 gene deletions could be determined by molecular testing of all people with suspected malaria regardless of rapid diagnostic test or microscopy results, and those samples confirmed to have pfhrp2 deletions used as the numerator.

Third, recent modelling suggests that the likelihood of finding pfhrp2/3 deletions can vary during the malaria transmission season due to changes in the transmission intensity and multiplicity of infection, whereby a person can be infected with multiple P. falciparum strains.55 Co-infection with pfhrp2/3-negative- and wild-type parasites can prevent detection of gene deletions using current laboratory techniques, leading to an underestimation of the prevalence of pfhrp2/3-negative mutants. Time of year and relation to the transmission season is rarely described in published reports. A publicly available database using prediction models could be useful to help determine the optimal time in the transmission season to conduct a gene deletion survey.56

Due to the small number of studies, differing populations and often small samples sizes of the reviewed studies, it is difficult to draw robust conclusions on the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in specific areas or to perform meta-analysis from these data. The implementation of more large-scale, robust surveys would enable a better understanding of if, and at what rate, these mutations are increasing in a given area, and would allow for meta-analysis.

Identifying the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 deletion mutations requires synthesis of several lines of evidence and study procedures that include proper performance of rapid diagnostic tests and careful genotyping methods. While most studies in this review followed some components of published criteria to classify a sample as pfhrp2-deleted,21 only 3 (5%) of the studies followed the seven recommended criteria proposed in this review. One specific challenge for molecular analyses of pfhrp2/3 is using the absence of amplified products as the indicator of interest, rather than the presence of amplified products. Rigorous methods and appropriate controls must be used to ensure the presence of non-degraded, amplifiable parasite DNA and the lack of amplicon contamination. Improving the accuracy of survey outcomes requires novel molecular-based technology and methods that could detect pfhrp2/3 gene deletions more reliably and efficiently and detect pfhrp2/3 deletions in samples with mixed infections (such as quantitative-PCR and whole genome sequencing). Not all malaria-endemic countries have the capacity to conduct molecular analysis to a high standard, and establishing such capacity is challenging and costly. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of PCR assays can be affected by the protocol used, potentially resulting in variations in the results across laboratories following different procedures. For example, lowering the elongation temperature on pfhrp2 assays improved the limit of detection of many previously published assays.57 WHO has established a network of laboratories capable of conducting this analysis to ensure that samples from prevalence surveys can be performed quickly and procedures harmonized across laboratories.22

Just over half of the studies amplified both exon 1 and 2 of the pfhrp2 gene, while the rest amplified only exon 2. While the chromosomal break points could theoretically be anywhere within the pfhrp2 gene, it appeared that most samples from Eritrea and Peru have observed deletions in both exon 1 and 2 (Qin Cheng, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, personal communication, 2019). Therefore, whether analysis of exon 2 alone is sufficient to identify most parasites with pfhrp2 gene deletions requires further analysis of gene deletions from other parasite populations. While not included in the recommendations for pfhrp2/3 molecular analysis,21 analysis of flanking genes can provide additional information on genetic mutations.

Despite the diversity of study approaches, there appear to be areas of high prevalence of pfhrp2/3 mutant parasites where diagnostic testing based on HRP2 alone would be inadequate. Thus, the need for alternative rapid diagnostic tests is of urgent concern in the Amazon basin and Eritrea, where the prevalence of tests producing false-negative results among symptomatic patients has forced changes in the diagnostic strategy.58 Malaria control programmes should remain vigilant for evidence suggesting the presence of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions. Evidence of false-negative rapid diagnostic tests or confirmed pfhrp2/3-negative mutants in neighbouring countries should trigger careful investigation and surveillance. To improve the quality and relevance of surveys for clinical case management, WHO now provides general guidance on when to prioritize surveys for pfhrp2/3 deletions.22 WHO has also developed protocols for guiding survey design, data collection and laboratory methods to determine the prevalence of clinically-relevant pfhrp2/3 deletions causing false-negative rapid diagnostic tests.59 The guidelines aim to ensure that future investigations are implemented to high and comparable standards. Additionally, an up-to-date repository of pfhrp2/3 deletion studies is maintained on the WHO malaria threat map.60

The specific factors that drive the evolution and spread of pfhrp2/3 mutations are not clear, although mathematical models suggest that selective pressure by HRP2-detecting rapid diagnostic tests over the past decade is likely to have played an important role.5 Low malaria transmission and high frequency of people correctly treated on the basis of diagnosis with HRP2-detecting tests have also been identified as key drivers of the selection of pfhrp2/3-negative mutants.61 Nevertheless, the existence and rising prevalence of pfhrp2 deletions in Peru,11,12,33 where HRP2-only methods have never been widely used, along with the local prevalence of pfhrp3 mutations, confirms that selective treatment based on test results is not the only factor driving the evolution of these parasites.

Due to the global reliance on rapid diagnostic tests for malaria diagnosis, a coordinated, multifaceted response to P. falciparum with pfhrp2/3 gene deletions is required. This response should include representative studies of the prevalence and distribution of pfhrp2/3 deletions, more efficient and affordable methods for screening and confirming these deletions, and efforts to standardize and ensure high-quality reporting. Follow-up surveys in areas with documented pfhrp2/3 deletions will provide insight into the speed at which the mutant parasites are evolving in response to diagnostic pressure and other drivers. Research for the development and commercialization of rapid diagnostic tests based on new or improved non-HRP2 targets is an essential parallel area of work.

Acknowledgements

We thank Ryan O’Neil Williams and Andrea Bosman.

Funding:

This review was funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Competing interests:

None declared.

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