QRT-PCR versus IFA-based Quantification of Male and Female Gametocytes in Low-Density Plasmodium falciparum Infections and Their Relevance for Transmission.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Accurate quantification of female and male gametocytes and sex ratios in asymptomatic low-density malaria infections are important for assessing their transmission potential. Gametocytes often escape detection even by molecular methods, therefore ultralow gametocyte densities were quantified in large blood volumes.

Methods

Female and male gametocytes were quantified in 161 PCR-positive Plasmodium falciparum infections from a cross-sectional survey in Papua New Guinea. Ten-fold concentrated RNA from 800 µL blood was analyzed using female-specific pfs25 and male-specific pfmget or mssp qRT-PCR. Gametocyte sex ratios from qRT-PCR were compared with those from immunofluorescence assays (IFA).

Results

Gametocytes were identified in 58% (93/161) P. falciparum-pos

SUBMITTER: Gruenberg M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7325619 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature