Efficacy of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in detection of malaria parasite species

ABSTRACT

Since 1985, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique has been developed and applied as a diagnostic tool for detection of many parasitic infections. Because of its ability to amplify DN fragments and using specific nucleotide primer, the test is highly sensitive as ell a specific. Efficacy of PCR test in detection of malaria pecies wwas compared with that of conventional microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood film in the study. a study done on (111) patients attending the Central Malaria Clinic reveald that, (20) patients were found to be positive by PCR test, while only (12) patients were positive by microscopic examination could detect only Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, hile PCR test was able to detect all human malaria parasite species including Plasmodium ovale in (10) samples. Thus PCR test was found to be highly effective for detection of malaria parasites, especially in cases of mixed infections.