Real-time PCR methods for monitoring antimalarial drug resistance.
Drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is a challenge to malaria control programs. Policy makers currently depend on in vivo (and, sometimes, in vitro) resistance testing to set treatment guidelines. Molecular markers such as mutations in dhfr, dhps, pfcrt and pfmdr1 represent potential surveillance tools. In this article, we describe newer high-throughput methods for detecting these molecular markers. One method, 5' nuclease real-time polymerase chain reaction, is discussed in detail.
Wilson
Paul E
PE
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, CB 7290, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Alker
Alisa P
AP
Meshnick
Steven R
SR
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D005819:Genetic Markers