Genetic diversity and natural selection of Duffy binding protein of Plasmodium vivax Korean isolates

► The PvDBPII of Korean Plasmodium vivax isolates display genetic polymorphism. ► Thirteen PvDBPII haplotypes, which are classified into 3 clades, are identified. ► The PvDBPII of Korean P. vivax isolates are under natural selection. ► High selective pressures act on B- and T-cell epitopes and MHC binding regions. ► Recombination may also contribute to genetic diversity of PvDBPII.