Comparison of a nested polymerase chain reaction--restriction fragment length polymorphism method, the PATH antigen detection method, and microscopy for the detection and identification of malaria parasites. |
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Authors: | R Parkes T Lo Q Wong J L Isaac-Renton S K Byrne |
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Institution: | British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada. |
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Abstract: | A nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, the PATH antigen detection method, and light microscopy were compared for their capacity to detect and identify Plasmodium species. One hundred and thirty-six blood specimens obtained from patients suspected of having malaria were examined by each of the three methods. Forty-four specimens were positive for malaria using microscopy as the "gold standard". The sensitivity for nested PCR was 100%, and the specificity was 98%. For the detection of Plasmodium falciparum, the antigen detection method had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97%. Species identification obtained using PCR-RFLP was identical or superior to light microscopy in 42 cases (96%). Although the nested PCR-RFLP method was more sensitive and specific, the rapid turnaround time and high sensitivity of the antigen detection method makes it a useful adjunct to standard microscopy. |
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