title: Detection and differentiation of Plasmodium species by polymerase chain reaction and colorimetric detection in blood samples of patients with suspected malaria.
abstract: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is now recognized as a sensitive and specific method for detecting Plasmodium species in blood. In this study, we tested 279 blood samples, from patients with suspected malaria, by a PCR assay utilizing species-specific colorimetric detection, and compared the results to light microscopy. Overall, both assays were in agreement for 270 of the 279 specimens. P. vivax was detected in 131 (47.0%) specimens, P. falciparum in 64 (22.9%) specimens, P. ovale in 6 (2.1%) specimens, and P. malariae in 5 (1.8%) specimens. Both P. falciparum and P. vivax were detected in a further 10 (3.6%) specimens, and 54 (19.3%) specimens were negative by both assays. In the remaining nine specimens, microscopy either failed to detect the parasite or incorrectly identified the species present. In summary, the sensitivity, specificity and simplicity of the PCR assay makes it particularly suitable for use in a diagnostic laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Virology Research Unit, Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Clinical Medical Virology Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Whiley
authors.forename: Genevera M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: LeCornec
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baddeley
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savill
authors.forename: Melanie W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Syrmis
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Siebert
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: Theo P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Sloots
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D003124:Colorimetry; D015342:DNA Probes; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes