[Application of nested PCR in diagnosis of imported malaria]

To evaluate the usefulness of nested PCR method in the diagnosis of imported malaria.

A total of 210 blood smears and blood samples on filter paper were taken from persons returned from highly malaria endemic countries. The results of both nested PCR and microscopy for 210 samples were compared.

Among the 210 persons, 43 were hospitalized due to malaria, and positive by nested PCR test Among the rest 157 people at high risk of getting malaria, 3 were found plasmodium-positive by microscope (1.91%), and 5 were positive by nested PCR (3.18%). In four samples with discrepancy between the two methods, 1 was microscopy positive and PCR negative, and 3 were microscopy negative and PCR positive. Positive and negative coincidence rate between the two tests was 66.7% and 98.1%, respectively. The coincidence between the two methods was 97.5%.

Nested PCR is useful for monitoring, identification and diagnosis of imported malaria.