Data from: Plasmodium vivax diversity and population structure across four continents

Plasmodium vivax is the geographically most widespread human malaria
parasite. To analyze patterns of microsatellite diversity and population
structure across countries of different transmission intensity, genotyping
data from 11 microsatellite markers was either generated or compiled from
841 isolates from four continents collected in 1999–2008. Diversity was
highest in South-East Asia (mean allelic richness 10.0–12.8), intermediate
in the South Pacific (8.1–9.9) Madagascar and Sudan (7.9–8.4), and lowest
in South America and Central Asia (5.5–7.2). A reduced panel of only 3
markers was sufficient to identify approx. 90% of all haplotypes in South
Pacific, African and SE-Asian populations, but only 60–80% in Latin
American populations, suggesting that typing of 2–6 markers, depending on
the level of endemicity, is sufficient for epidemiological studies.
Clustering analysis showed distinct clusters in Peru and Brazil, but
little sub-structuring was observed within Africa, SE-Asia or the South
Pacific. Isolates from Uzbekistan were exceptional, as a near-clonal
parasite population was observed that was clearly separated from all other
populations (FST>0.2). Outside Central Asia FST values were highest
(0.11–0.16) between South American and all other populations, and lowest
(0.04–0.07) between populations from South-East Asia and the South
Pacific. These comparisons between P. vivax populations from four
continents indicated that not only transmission intensity, but also
geographical isolation affect diversity and population structure. However,
the high effective population size results in slow changes of these
parameters. This persistency must be taken into account when assessing the
impact of control programs on the genetic structure of parasite
populations.