High proportion of mixed-species Plasmodium infections in India revealed by PCR diagnostic assay

Trop Med Int Health. 2010 Jul;15(7):819-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02549.x. Epub 2010 May 14.

Abstract

Accurate diagnosis is the key to effective treatment and control of malaria. We screened 180 microscopically diagnosed Indian malaria-positive blood samples for pure and mixed infections by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. An unusually high proportion of mixed infections was detected, signifying the sensitivity of PCR assay over traditional microscopic diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Falciparum / complications
  • Malaria, Falciparum / diagnosis*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / epidemiology
  • Malaria, Vivax / complications
  • Malaria, Vivax / diagnosis*
  • Malaria, Vivax / epidemiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium vivax / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan