Abstract: 　Objective To identify the genotype of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Hainan Province. Methods Nested PCR was applied to amplify the MSP1 of Blocks 2 and 3 Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Hainan Province. Two allelic family representitive gene fragments were sequenced.Results From 36 out of 39 blood samples from Plasmodium falciparum patients, 44 gene fragments of blocks 2 and 3 of the MSP1 were amplified, of which the MAD20 type allele was dominant(75%). followed by K1 type allele. No RO33 type allele was found. The mixed infection rate of the two different allelic type was 19 4%. Sequence analysis showed that the sequences of MAD20 and K1 type isolates from Hainan Province were highly homologous to that of the MAD20 and K1 allelic prototypes.Conclusion Two principal allelic types of MSP1 gene, MAD20 and K1 type, exist in malaria endemic areas in Hainan Province, the MAD20 type being the dominant.

Key words: Plasmodium falciparum, MSP1, genotyping, sequence analysis