Prapaporn Boonma. Comparison of molecular methods : Nested, multiplex and real-time PCR for the speciation of human plasmodium . Master's Degree(Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Comparison of molecular methods : Nested, multiplex and real-time PCR for the speciation of human plasmodium
Abstract:
Malaria remains an important disease and is most prevalent along the Thai-
Myanmar and Thai-Cambodia borders. The aim of this study was to compare three
molecular techniques; nested PCR, multiplex PCR, and real-time PCR for the
detection and speciation of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax from dried
blood spots. The results were also compared to microscopic examination of Giemsa
stained slides. Some 136 volunteers seeking care at malaria clinics, Pong Nam Ron,
Chanthaburi and Suan-Pueng, Ratchaburi provinces were identified as being infected
with malaria by blood film analysis from March to October 2006. When these were
examined by microscopy, 32 (23.53%) cases were P. falciparum, 53 (38.97%) cases
were P. vivax, 4 (2.94%) cases were mixed P. falciparum-P. vivax infections and 47
(34.56%) cases were negative. All the extracted DNA (QIAGEN) samples were
detected by nested PCR, multiplex PCR and real-time PCR. 40 (29.41%)
P. falciparum, 51 (37.5%) P. vivax infections and 45 (33.1%) negative cases were
identified by multiplex PCR. P. falciparum, P. vivax, mixed and negative infections at
37 (27.21%), 51 (37.5%), 4 (2.94%) and 44 (32.35%), respectively were identified by
nested PCR while 37 (27.2%) P. falciparum, 51 (37.5%) P. vivax, 3 (2.21%) mixed
and 45 (33.1%) negative cases were detected by real-time PCR. Microscopy was the
least sensitive and specific of the four diagnostic methods used in this study when
utilizing molecular consensus as the gold standard. Microscopy has a sensitivity of
94.17%; however it was more sensitive in detecting mixed infections than multiplex
PCR, which failed to detect any. The lowest limited detections of nested PCR;
multiplex PCR and real-Time PCR methods to DNA of P. falciparum, P. vivax were
0.045, 2.01; 0.0091, 0.23 and 0.005, 0.028 parasites/μl respectively. When the cost of
each PCR technique was compared, we found that real-time PCR was cheapest
(reagent only) of 6.89 $US. However, the sensitivity of nested PCR, multiplex PCR
and real-time PCR for the speciation of Plasmodium spp. were equal of 96.63%. The
molecular methods used in this study will and can be a very useful complement to
microscopic analysis in order to obtain the real incidence of each species and also for
the follow-up of patients after specific treatment with the ultimate goal of reducing the
occurrence of misdiagnosis in field laboratories in Thailand.