Real time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of malarial parasite

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of real time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for the detection of Malarial parasite. Descriptive cross-sectional study. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [AFIP], Rawalpindi, from April to June 2010. A total of 60 Leishman stained blood films with clinical suspicion of malaria were studied by light microscopy for detection of malaria parasite [MP]. The samples were also subjected to real time PCR for the small subunit [SSU] rRNA gene of MP found in all the four subspecies of Plasmodium. Real time PCR was done by the Taqman probe method. One sample positive for MP was serially diluted with ABO compatible blood, and light microscopy and real time PCR were performed on all dilutions. Results of light microscopy and real time PCR were compared. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated using PCR as the gold standard. PCR detected MP in 33 samples with sensitivity and specificity of 100% whereas light microscopy could detect MP in 30 samples. Sensitivity and specificity of light microscopy was 90.9% and 100% respectively. In the serially diluted blood sample, MP was visible at 1/16 dilution whereas the PCR showed positive results even at 1/512 dilution. Real time PCR is more sensitive than light microscopy for the detection of malarial parasite

JAK2 mutation and myeloproliferative disorders in Pakis

To study the haematological features and JAK2 mutation in Pakistani patients of myeloproliferative disorders. Descriptive cross sectional. Department of Heamatology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from Jan 2004 to Jan 2007. Forty seven consecutive patients of myeloproliferative disorders [MPD] diagnosed by the conventional haematological criteria were included in the study. The patients on treatment were excluded. Age, sex, splenic enlargement, blood complete counts and bone marrow examination findings were recorded. All patients were screened for G-T Point mutation [V617F] in the JAK2 gene on chromosome 9 by an allele specific PCR Out of the 47 MPD patients, 17 [36%] had polycythaemia rubra vera [PRV], 7 [15%] had essential thrombocythaemia [ET] and 18 [38%] had idiopathic myelofibrosis [MF]. JAK2 positive was seen in 37/47 [79%] patients including 17/17 [100%] in PRV, 4/7 [57%] in ET and 13/18 [72%] in IMF. MPDs are an important group of haematology disorders in Pakistan. Vast majority of these disorders [79%] showed mutation in the JAK2 gene. JAK2 mutation analysis is especially useful in the diagnosis of polycythaemia vera where it was found in 100% of the cases