Comparison of a nested polymerase chain reaction--restriction fragment length polymorphism method, the PATH antigen detection method, and microscopy for the detection and identification of malaria parasites.
A nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, the PATH antigen detection method, and light microscopy were compared for their capacity to detect and identify Plasmodium species. One hundred and thirty-six blood specimens obtained from patients suspected of having malaria were examined by each of the three methods. Forty-four specimens were positive for malaria using microscopy as the "gold standard". The sensitivity for nested PCR was 100%, and the specificity was 98%. For the detection of Plasmodium falciparum, the antigen detection method had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97%. Species identification obtained using PCR-RFLP was identical or superior to light microscopy in 42 cases (96%). Although the nested PCR-RFLP method was more sensitive and specific, the rapid turnaround time and high sensitivity of the antigen detection method makes it a useful adjunct to standard microscopy.
Parkes
R
R
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada.
Lo
T
T
Wong
Q
Q
Isaac-Renton
J L
JL
Byrne
S K
SK
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic