Genetic mutations that cause malaria drug resistance common in Asia, Africa By (0) Genetic mutations that cause drug resistance in malaria may be more common than previously thought. File Photo by Mycteria/Shutterstock Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Genetic mutations that fuel resistance to a drug intended to prevent malaria in pregnant women and children are common in countries that are fighting the disease, according to a PLOS Genetics analysis. Mutations of a gene linked with resistance to the drug sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in the parasite that causes malaria were discovered in one-fourth of the samples collected in southeast Asia and one-third of those obtained in Africa, the researchers said.