{
  "abstract": "Background Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) are the main diagnostic tool for malaria in Niger and many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, deletions of the P. falciparum hrp2 and hrp3 genes can compromise RDT performance, and pose a threat to diagnostic accuracy. Although these deletions were reported in several regions of Africa, Asia and South America, no molecular data on pfhrp2/3 were previously available for Niger. Methods The present study is a retrospective sub-analysis of biological samples derived from a therapeutic efficacy study (TES) conducted in Niger in 2022. Antigen profiling was performed using a multiplex bead-based assay to identify samples with weak or undetectable HRP2 signal. Species confirmation was conducted by PET-PCR, and pfhrp2/3 exon 2 genotyping was performed using one-step PCR. Results Among the 375 P. falciparum mono-infection isolates analyzed, pfhrp2 deletions were found in 3% (11/375; 95% CI 1–5%), pfhrp3 deletions in 11% (41/375; 95% CI 8–14%), and double deletions in 1% (5/375; 95% CI 0–2%). These figures likely represent a conservative estimate, as the true prevalence may be higher due to the antigen pre-screening and the selection bias inherent in the original study design. Conclusions This is the first molecular evidence of Pfhrp2 and Pfhrp3 deletions in P. falciparum in Niger. The observed pfhrp2 deletion rate is a significant molecular finding; however, further evidence is needed to determine if the rate of false-negative RDTs caused by these deletions reaches the 5% threshold set by WHO for a national RDT policy revision.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Centre de Recherche Médical et Sanitaire (CERMES)",
    "Programme National de Lutte Contre Paludisme (PNLP)",
    "International Research and Training Center in Applied Genomics and Health Surveillance (CIGASS)",
    "Université André Salifou (UAS)",
    "U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, USAID",
    "President’s Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 14,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ibrahima Issa"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Illa Hachimou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Djiby Sow"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Lamine Mahaman Moustapha"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Kabirou Mamane Sanoussi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Yacouba Idrissa"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Mamadou Alpha Diallo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Aïta Sene"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Ibrahima Mbaye Ndiaye"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Zilahatou Bahari-Tohon"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Irene Cavros"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Jessica Mccaffery"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Awa Bineta Deme"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Maman Laminou Ibrahim"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3bycs3n8t8c9j.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7",
  "id": "3bycs3n8t8c9j",
  "issns": [
    "1475-2875"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "RC109-216"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "RC955-962"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Malaria Research and Control"
    ]
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  "openalex": "W7171390144",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-01",
  "publisher": "BMC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3bycs3n8t8c9j.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:45:34Z",
      "native_id": "6f6a15b497d84c60aff6268af5282c71",
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2739|Malaria Research and Control",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
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  ],
  "title": "First detection of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Niger Republic: a retrospective sub-analysis of biological samples",
  "title_text": "First detection of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Niger Republic: a retrospective sub-analysis of biological samples",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:45:34Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3bycs3n8t8c9j",
  "venue": "Malaria Journal",
  "versions": []
}