title: Use of a rapid, single-round, multiplex PCR to detect malarial parasites and identify the species present.
abstract: A new, rapid assay, based on a single-round, multiplex PCR, can be used to detect Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae or P. ovale in human blood. The PCR, which targets the conserved 18S small-subunit RNA genes of the parasites, not only permits a malarial infection to be detected but also allows each Plasmodium species present to be identified, even in cases of mixed infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK. dpadley@nibsc.ac.uk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Padley
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chiodini
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saldanha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010965:Plasmodium malariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041122:Plasmodium ovale / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan