[Detection of Plasmodium falciparum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]

A pair of primers were designed and synthesized based on the DNA fragment coded erythrocyte-binding antigen (EBA-175) of Plasmodium falciparum (P.f.) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect P.f. cultured in vitro. The amplified products were analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis and a specific 492 bp DNA band was showed in P.f. infected blood sample, but no band showed in P. vivax, P. cynomolgi, P. yoelii and P. berghei infected blood samples, nor in normal one. The parasite densities detected by this method could be as minimal as 10 parasites/20 microliters blood. The PCR technique showed high sensitivity and specificity.