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Background  Recent studies have demonstrated the deletion of the histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) gene ( pfhrp2 ) in field isolates of  Plasmodium falciparum , which could result in false negative test results when PfHRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used for malaria diagnosis. Although primary diagnosis of malaria in Honduras is determined based on microscopy, RDTs may be useful in remote areas. In this study, it was investigated whether there are deletions of the  pfhrp2 ,  pfhrp3  and their respective flanking genes in 68  P. falciparum  parasite isolates collected from the city of Puerto Lempira, Honduras. In addition, further investigation considered the possible correlation between parasite population structure and the distribution of these gene deletions by genotyping seven neutral microsatellites.    Methods  Sixty-eight samples used in this study, which were obtained from a previous chloroquine efficacy study, were utilized in the analysis. All samples were genotyped for  pfhrp2 ,  pfhrp3  and flanking genes by PCR. The samples were then genotyped for seven neutral microsatellites in order to determine the parasite population structure in Puerto Lempira at the time of sample collection.    Results  It was found that all samples were positive for  pfhrp2  and its flanking genes on chromosome 8. However, only 50% of the samples were positive for  pfhrp3  and its neighboring genes while the rest were either  pfhrp3 -negative only or had deleted a combination of  pfhrp3  and its neighbouring genes on chromosome 13. Population structure analysis predicted that there are at least two distinct parasite population clusters in this sample population. It was also determined that a greater proportion of parasites with  pfhrp3 -(and flanking gene) deletions belonged to one cluster compared to the other.    Conclusion  The findings indicate that the  P. falciparum  parasite population in the municipality of Puerto Lempira maintains the  pfhrp2  gene and that PfHRP2-based RDTs could be considered for use in this region; however continued monitoring of parasite population will be useful to detect any parasites with deletions of  pfhrp2 .

Prevalence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in Puerto Lempira, Honduras