en Parasitology Parasitology پژوهشي orginal article <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Background & aims</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">The evolution and spread of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria parasite capable of evading antimalarials, particularly artemisinin (ART), is a prime concern for malaria control. Mutations in the <i>P. falciparum Kelch 13</i> (<i>Pfk13</i>) gene confer resistance to artemisinin, necessitating molecular surveillance of <i>Pfk13</i> mutations. This study is aimed at investigating artemisinin resistance linked <i>Pfk13</i>-propeller polymorphisms in clinical isolates of <i>P. falciparum</i> from three Local Government Areas (Yola North, Numan and Mubi North), of Adamawa State, Nigeria. </span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Materials & methods</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">:</span></b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt">A total of 240 symptomatic malaria patients were recruited for this study. </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Eighty </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt">febrile patients diagnosed with uncomplicated <i>P. falciparum</i> malaria attending two major selected healthcare facilities in each of the three Local Government Areas were used. <i>P. falciparum</i> parasite was identified by Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and Microscopy. DNA extraction and nested PCR were performed on positive samples to amplify the <i>Pfk13</i> propeller domain. Sequencing and sequence analysis were conducted to check for mutations at validated codon positions. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Results</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">:</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Out of the 240 samples collected, RDT revealed 100% to be positive for <i>P. falciparum</i> while microscopy confirmed <i>P. falciparum</i> presence in 214 samples (89.17%). Extraction and amplification of <i>Pfk13</i> gene were successful in 163 samples (67.92%). Out of 163 successfully amplified samples, no validated mutations linked to artemisinin resistance were found, but the A578S mutation was detected in 15.09% of the analyzed samples. </span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Conclusion</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">The absence of <i>Pfk13</i> gene mutations indicates the sensitivity of the parasites in this study location to artemisinin treatments, but the mutant A578S observed needs to be investigated to determine its functional relevance in the <i>Pfk</i>13 propeller-domain. However, continuous surveillance and research are crucial to maintain these successes and address any future challenges posed by drug resistance. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background:#d9d9d9"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"></span></b></span></span></span></span> Artemisinin resistance, Malaria, Molecular surveillance, PFK13 gene 75 84 http://ijrabms.umsu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-369-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahmoud Suleiman Jada jadasm84@gmail.com 10031947532846003887 0009-0006-5943-2328 Yes Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria Yusuf Umar yusufumarkombani@gmail.com 10031947532846003888 0009-0004-7258-2940 No Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria Aliyu Abdullahi Pela aliyupela@mau.edu.ng 10031947532846003889 0009-0004-7124-232X No Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe state, Nigeria Auwal Adamu auwaladamu@abu.edu.ng 10031947532846003890 10031947532846003890 No Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria Hauwa Ahmed Zailani hauwa.zailani@mau.edu.ng 10031947532846003891 10031947532846003891 No Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria Abdullahi Usman Wurochekke wchekke@gmail.com 10031947532846003892 0009-0009-8801-3212 No Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria