Transcriptomic Analysis of Malaria Parasite-Host Interaction in Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Patients in Ogun State

The molecular interaction between Plasmodium falciparum and its human host determines infection outcome, ranging from asymptomatic parasitaemia to severe malaria and death. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) provides an unprecedented view of host transcriptomic responses and parasite gene expression simultaneously during infection. This study conducted a transcriptomic analysis of P. falciparum-host interaction using paired host and parasite RNA-seq data from patients presenting with uncomplicated and severe malaria in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Fifty patients (25 uncomplicated, 25 severe malaria) and 25 healthy controls were enrolled at the State Hospital Abeokuta. Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and ribosomal RNA was depleted before paired-end Illumina sequencing. Host transcriptomes were analysed for differentially expressed genes using DESeq2, with pathway enrichment conducted using Reactome and KEGG databases. Parasite transcriptomes were assembled against the 3D7 reference genome. Host interferon response genes were significantly upregulated in severe malaria, while innate immune tolerance pathways were activated in asymptomatic parasitaemia. Distinct parasite var gene expression patterns were associated with severe disease. These findings contribute to understanding host-parasite molecular dialogue in the context of Nigerian malaria transmission. Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum, RNA-seq, host-parasite interaction, transcriptomics, Ogun State