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Comparison of different PCR protocols for the detection and diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum

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Abstract

An assessment of differing PCR protocols for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infection was performed on samples from an area of holoendemic malaria transmission in western Burkina Faso. The PCR protocols had generally high sensitivities (>92%) and specificities (>69%), but the negative predictive values (NPV) were moderate and differed widely among the PCR protocols tested. These PCR protocols that amplified either the P. falciparum pfcrt gene or the small subunit ribosomal DNA were the most reliable diagnostic tools. However, the moderate NPV imply that more than one PCR protocol should be used for diagnosis in holoendemic areas.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to the people of Bourasso for their participation in this study and their continuous hospitality during the field phase of our survey. Special thanks go to Justin Tiendrebéogo, Adama Compaoré, Dr. Corneille Traoré, Dr. Xavier Pitroipa, Wendyam A. Guigemdé, Ido Kolé, Issaka Zombra, Philomon Traoré, Quattara Bassiriki, Christophe Kadewa, Samuel Seni and Michael Scheiwein for their valuable contributions. This study was supported by the Sonderforschungsbereich SFB 544 ‘Kontrolle tropischer Infektionskrankheiten’.

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Author notes

  1. N. Oster

    Present address: , Schmiedegasse 2, 79730, Murg, Germany

  2. I. Z. Abdel-Aziz

    Present address: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Hani El-Lobody Str. 11 Omrania Sharkia, El-Haram, 12111, Giza, Egypt

  3. A. Stich

    Present address: Missionsärztliches Institut, AG Tropenmedizin und Seuchenbekämpfung, Hermann-Schell-Str. 7, 97074, Wurzburg, Germany

  4. K. T. Andrews

    Present address: Clinical Tropical Medicine Laboratory, The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Box Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, 4029 Queensland, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hygiene Institut, Abteilung Parasitologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    N. Oster, I. Z. Abdel-Aziz, A. Stich, K. T. Andrews, J. E. McLean & M. Lanzer

  2. Centre de Recherche en Santéà Nouna,  , BP02, Nouna, Burkina Faso

    B. Coulibaly & B. Kouyatè

Authors
  1. N. Oster
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  2. I. Z. Abdel-Aziz
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  3. A. Stich
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  4. B. Coulibaly
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  5. B. Kouyatè
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  6. K. T. Andrews
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  7. J. E. McLean
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  8. M. Lanzer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Lanzer.

Additional information

N. Oster and I.Z. Abdel-Aziz have contributed equally to this work.

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Oster, N., Abdel-Aziz, I.Z., Stich, A. et al. Comparison of different PCR protocols for the detection and diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum. Parasitol Res 97, 424–428 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-1479-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-1479-3

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