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 applided as a diagnostic tool for edtection of many parasitic infections. Because of its ability to amplify DNA fragments and using specific nucleotide primers, the test is highly sensitive as well as specific. Efficacy of PCR test in detection of malaria species was 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 revealed 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, while PCR test was able to detect all human malaria parasite species includinPlasmodium ovale in (10) samples. Thus PCR test was founcd to be highly effective for detection of malaria parasites, especially in cases of mixed infections.