Next generation whole genome sequencing of Plasmodium falciparum using NextSeq500 technology in India

Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite that causes the deadliest form of human malaria. Although, malaria burdens worldwide have decreased substantially over the last decade (WHO, 2014), genetic variation and adaptation by parasite strains against drugs and vaccines present significant challenges for the elimination of malaria (Ariey et al., 2014; Neafsey et al., 2015). India has formally launched a malaria elimination campaign (NVBDCP, 2016). Therefore, early in-country detection of drug resistance and/or immune evasion will be important for the program. Presently, the majority of surveillance methods in India detect a limited number of known polymorphisms (Campino et al., 2011; Chat