Journal article
Comparison of three methods for detection of gametocytes in Melanesian children treated for uncomplicated malaria
S Karl, M Laman, T Koleala, C Ibam, B Kasian, N N'Drewei, A Rosanas-Urgell, BR Moore, A Waltmann, C Koepfli, PM Siba, I Betuela, RC Woodward, TG St Pierre, I Mueller, TME Davis
Malaria Journal | Published : 2014
Abstract
Background: Gametocytes are the transmission stages of Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria. As their density in the human host is typically low, they are often undetected by conventional light microscopy. Furthermore, application of RNA-based molecular detection methods for gametocyte detection remains challenging in remote field settings. In the present study, a detailed comparison of three methods, namely light microscopy, magnetic fractionation and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax gametocytes was conducted.Methods. Peripheral blood samples from 70 children aged 0.5 to five years with uncomplicated..
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Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank the patients and their families for their participation. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of field staff at Mugil and Alexishafen Health Centres, and the Microscopy Unit at the Vector Borne Diseases Unit, PNG Institute of Medical Research. This study was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia project grant (#634343). SK is currently supported by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (#1052760), ML was supported by an Australian Award PhD Scholarship, BRM by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (#1036951), IM by a NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (#1043345), TMED by an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship (#572561).