Page 22 - 7-Windhoek MORNING SESSION e-BOOK (27 April 2023)

School of Science
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE,
ENGINEERING & NATURAL SCIENCES

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SCIENCE
(MOLECULAR BIOLOGY)

CANDIDATE: HAIYAMBO Daniel H

CANDIDATE’S DISSERTATION
PLASMODIUM VIVAX ECOLOGY AND
ASSOCIATED HOST GENOTYPES (G6PD AND
DUFFY ANTIGEN POLYMORPHISMS) IN NAMIBIAN
CHILDREN UNDER 9 YEARS.
The doctoral study was undertaken and completed under the
supervision of Prof Isaac Quaye of the Pan African Vivax and Ovale
Network, Regent University College of Science and Technology as the
Main-Supervisor and Prof. Davies Mumbengegwi and Dr Ronnie Bock
from the University of the Namibia as Co-Supervisors.
The candidate investigated, the presence if any, and the ecological
niche of the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax. The genetic factors
that enable the entry of the parasite into red blood cells and treatment
following an infection was also examined.
A cross sectional survey was used in this investigation, located across
seven regions in the northern parts of Namibia where the malaria
disease burden is high. The study discovered that Plasmodium vivax are
present in the country. The study also revealed that some individuals
were infected with the parasite even when they were deficient in
the Duffy antigen, which is a receptor used by the parasite to initiate
infection. Meaning that transmission of the parasite can be sustained
in the country. It was also discovered that there are individuals that are
unable to tolerate drugs that are used to treat the parasite because
they have a deficiency in an enzyme called Glucose-6-Phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD). The findings will assist the National Malaria
Control Program in making decisions of targeted interventions in the
country.

The study presents a recommendation for a sustained surveillance
for P. vivax parasite prevalence in the country, while conducting a
nationwide interrogation of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency. The
study concludes that without an attention to non-falciparum parasites
in the country, the malaria elimination agenda will be difficult to
achieve.

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