Genetic Polymorphisms in Plasmodium vivax Isolates from Patients with Vivax Malaria: A Scoping Review Protocol

This research project aims to systematically map and characterize the existing evidence on genetic polymorphisms in *Plasmodium vivax* isolates obtained from patients with vivax malaria and other individuals with documented *P. vivax* infection. Genetic diversity within *P. vivax* populations is an important area of molecular parasitology, with potential implications for understanding parasite population structure, molecular epidemiology, antimalarial drug response, antigenic diversity, and molecular surveillance. However, the available evidence is distributed across different geographic regions, genetic markers, laboratory methods, and reporting approaches, making it challenging to establish a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape. This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodological guidance for scoping reviews, with reporting informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and PRISMA-S guidance for literature searches. The review will apply the Population–Concept–Context (PCC) framework, focusing on human-derived *P. vivax* isolates, parasite genetic polymorphisms, and studies conducted across diverse geographic, clinical, and epidemiological settings. The review will address five principal areas: (1) identifying the *P. vivax* genes, genetic markers, and genomic regions investigated for polymorphisms; (2) characterizing the reported genetic variation, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms, alleles, haplotypes, insertions/deletions, microsatellites, copy-number variations, and genome-level variants; (3) examining the molecular methods, analytical approaches, and genetic diversity measures employed; (4) mapping the geographic distribution, sampling contexts, and reported associations or proposed applications of parasite genetic variants; and (5) identifying evidence gaps, inconsistencies in variant reporting, and methodological limitations affecting reproducibility and comparability. A comprehensive literature search is planned across MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase (subject to institutional access), Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, with additional regional databases, reference searching, and relevant grey literature considered where feasible. Eligible sources will include primary empirical studies reporting genetic polymorphisms or diversity in *P. vivax* isolates originating from human infections. No initial restrictions will be imposed on publication year, geographic region, or language. Study selection and data charting will follow predefined eligibility criteria and structured procedures, with human reviewers responsible for final inclusion decisions and verification. Extracted data will include study characteristics, geographic and sampling contexts, participant characteristics, investigated genes and loci, genetic variant types, molecular techniques, reported genetic diversity measures, and proposed clinical or epidemiological relevance. Findings will be synthesized descriptively and presented through evidence-mapping tables, comparative matrices, and narrative summaries. Meta-analysis, pooled allele-frequency estimation, and formal risk-of-bias assessment are not planned, as the primary purpose is to map the extent, characteristics, and distribution of available evidence rather than quantify pooled genetic effects. The expected outcomes include a structured overview of investigated *P. vivax* genetic polymorphisms, identification of commonly studied and underexplored genetic markers, characterization of methodological and geographic research patterns, and identification of gaps requiring further investigation. The review is expected to provide a foundation for future molecular epidemiological studies, population-genetic investigations, and research evaluating the potential relevance of parasite genetic variation to antimalarial drug response, molecular surveillance, and other clinically or epidemiologically relevant applications. The findings will not be interpreted as establishing causal relationships or validated clinical utility of individual genetic markers.