First detection of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Niger Republic: a retrospective sub-analysis of biological samples
6 affiliations
- 1Centre de Recherche Médical et Sanitaire (CERMES)
- 2Programme National de Lutte Contre Paludisme (PNLP)
- 3International Research and Training Center in Applied Genomics and Health Surveillance (CIGASS)
- 4Université André Salifou (UAS)
- 5U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, USAID
- 6President’s Malaria Initiative, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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.
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BibTeX
@article{issa2026first,
title = {{First detection of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Niger Republic: a retrospective sub-analysis of biological samples}},
author = {Ibrahima Issa and Illa Hachimou and Djiby Sow and Lamine Mahaman Moustapha and Kabirou Mamane Sanoussi and Yacouba Idrissa and Mamadou Alpha Diallo and Aïta Sene and Ibrahima Mbaye Ndiaye and Zilahatou Bahari-Tohon and Irene Cavros and Jessica Mccaffery and Awa Bineta Deme and Maman Laminou Ibrahim},
journal = {Malaria Journal},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - First detection of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Niger Republic: a retrospective sub-analysis of biological samples
AU - Ibrahima Issa
AU - Illa Hachimou
AU - Djiby Sow
AU - Lamine Mahaman Moustapha
AU - Kabirou Mamane Sanoussi
AU - Yacouba Idrissa
AU - Mamadou Alpha Diallo
AU - Aïta Sene
AU - Ibrahima Mbaye Ndiaye
AU - Zilahatou Bahari-Tohon
AU - Irene Cavros
AU - Jessica Mccaffery
AU - Awa Bineta Deme
AU - Maman Laminou Ibrahim
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Malaria Journal
DO - 10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-026-06069-7
AB - 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.
SN - 1475-2875
ER -