Detection of malaria parasitaemia by polymerase chain reaction with an internal control

Khoo ASB¹, Ng AB¹, Mak JW¹, Lim PKC¹, Tan SK¹,Nagappan S²

1. Institute for Medical Research, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2. Tawau Hospital, Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

CITATION: Khoo ASB, Ng AB, Mak JW, Lim PKC, Tan SK, Nagappan S. Detection of malaria parasitaemia by polymerase chain reaction with an internal control. International Medical Research Journal. 1997 Jun;1(1):73–4. 

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ABSTRACT

Polymerase chain reaction was carried out on the 18S rRNA gene of Plasmodium falciparum to detect the presence of falciparum parasitaemia using human γ-interferon as an internal control. Twenty two out of 26 microscopically positive specimens were positive by PCR. Of the 25 microscopically negative specimens, 21 were negative by PCR while in 4 specimens the internal control was also negative.

KEYWORDS: Plasmodium falciparum, PCR diagnosis, malaria