Molecular-based assay for simultaneous detection of four Plasmodium spp. and Wuchereria bancrofti infections.
Four major malaria-causing Plasmodium spp. and lymphatic filariasis-causing Wuchereria bancrofti are co-endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical regions. Among molecular diagnostic assays, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays for the simultaneous detection of DNAs from these parasite species are currently available only for P. falciparum and W. bancrofti or P. vivax and W. bancrofti. Using a post-PCR oligonucleotide ligation detection reaction-fluorescent microsphere assay (LDR-FMA), we developed a multiplex assay that has the capability to simultaneously detect all four Plasmodium spp. and W. bancrofti infections in blood samples. Compared with microfilarial positivity in the blood, the LDR-FMA assay is highly concordant (91%), sensitive (86%), and specific (94%), and has high reproducibility for Plasmodium spp. (85-93%) and W. bancrofti (90%) diagnoses. The development of this assay for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple parasitic infections enables efficient screening of large numbers of human blood and mosquito samples from co-endemic areas.
Mehlotra
Rajeev K
RK
Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Gray
Laurie R
LR
Blood-Zikursh
Melinda J
MJ
Kloos
Zachary
Z
Henry-Halldin
Cara N
CN
Tisch
Daniel J
DJ
Thomsen
Edward
E
Reimer
Lisa
L
Kastens
Will
W
Baea
Manasseh
M
Baea
Kaye
K
Baisor
Moses
M
Tarongka
Nandao
N
Kazura
James W
JW
Zimmerman
Peter A
PA
D000818:Animals; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D005368:Filariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D018509:DNA, Helminth; D016054:DNA, Protozoan