Real-time PCR assays for detection and quantification of early P. falciparum gametocyte stages.

ABSTRACT: The use of quantitative qRT-PCR assays for detection and quantification of late gametocyte stages has revealed the high transmission capacity of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. To understand how the parasite adjusts its transmission in response to in-host environmental conditions including antimalarials requires simultaneous quantification of early and late gametocytes. Here, we describe qRT-PCR assays that specifically detect and quantify early-stage P. falciparum gametocytes. The assays are based on expression of known early and late gametocyte genes and were developed using purified stage II and stage V gametocytes and tested in natural and controlled human infections. Genes pfpeg4 and pfg27 are specifically expressed at significant levels in early gametocytes with a

SUBMITTER: Gadalla AAH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8476600 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature