title: Evaluation of new multiplex PCR primers for the identification ofPlasmodium species found in Sabah, Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malaria is a major public health problem, especially in the Southeast Asia region, caused by 5 species of Plasmodium (P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi). The aim of this study was to compare parasite species identification methods using the new multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) against nested PCR and microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples on filter papers were subject to conventional PCR methods using primers designed by us in multiplex PCR and previously designed primers of nested PCR. Both sets of results were compared with microscopic identification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 129 samples identified as malaria-positive by microscopy, 15 samples were positive for P. falciparum, 14 for P. vivax, 6 for P. knowlesi, 72 for P. malariae, and 2 for mixed infection of P. falciparum/P. malariae. Both multiplex and nested PCR identified 12 P. falciparum single infections. For P. vivax, 9 were identified by multiplex and 12 by nested PCR. For 72 P. malariae cases, multiplex PCR identified 58 as P. knowlesi and 10 as P. malariae compared to nested PCR, which identified 59 as P. knowlesi and 7 as P. malariae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiplex PCR could be used as alternative molecular diagnosis for the identification of all Plasmodium species as it requires a shorter time to screen a large number of samples.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
authors: Cheronie Shely
authors: CS
authors: Stanis
authors: School of Science, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors: Beng Kah
authors: BK
authors: Song
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
authors: Tock Hing
authors: TH
authors: Chua
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Yee Ling
authors: YL
authors: Lau
authors: Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sabah, Malaysia.
authors: Jenarun
authors: J
authors: Jelip
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria; D008296:Malaysia; D008853:Microscopy; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers
keywords: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction; Plasmodium; malaria; microscopy