title: Contribution of Polymerase Chain Reaction for detection of malaria in Tunisia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Tunisia, detection of Plasmodium in asymptomatic individuals from endemic countries is a critical measure in national program of malaria eradication. The screening is based on microscopic examination of thick and thin blood smears. However, the performance of this diagnosis is closely related to the experience of biologist and the parasitaemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the PCR in the screening of malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study involved 260 students from malaria endemic areas who were screened for malaria between september 2011 and june 2013. Each subject had a blood sample which was examined for malaria by microscopy and nested multiplex PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCR detected the presence of Plasmodium in 13 blood samples (5%). While microscopy was positive only in nine cases (3.5%). The discordances involved five negative samples at microscopy and which were positive in PCR and a negative sample in PCR which was positive at microscopy. A mixed infection with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae was identified by PCR. For this case, microscopy diagnosed only Plasmodium falciparum specie.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR is more efficient than microscopy in detecting low parasitaemia ; particularly observed in asymptomatic subjects. This technique allows to reduce asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium and reduce the risk of a resumption of transmission of malaria in our country.
authors.forename: Emna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siala
authors.forename: Rym
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Essid
authors.forename: Marwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smiri
authors.forename: Amira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doggui
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ben Sghaier
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouratbine