Färnert, A., Arez, A.P., Babiker, H.A., Beck, H.P., Benito, A., Bjorkman, A., Bruce, M.C., Conway, D.J., Day, K.P., Henning, Lars, Mercereau-Puijalon, O., Ranford-Cartwright, L.C., Rubio, J.M., Snounou, G., Walliker, D., Zwetyenga, J., and do Rosario, V.E. (2001) Genotyping of Plasmodium falciparum infections by PCR: a comparative multicentre study. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 95 (2). pp. 225-232.

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Abstract

Genetic diversity of malaria parasites represents a major issue in understanding several aspects of malaria infection and disease. Genotyping of Plasmodium falciparum infections with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods has therefore been introduced in epidemiological studies. Polymorphic regions of the msp1, msp2 and glurp genes are the most frequently used markers for genotyping, but methods may differ. A multicentre study was therefore conducted to evaluate the comparability of results from different laboratories when the same samples were analysed. Analyses of laboratory-cloned lines revealed high specificity but varying sensitivity. Detection of low-density clones was hampered in multiclonal infections. Analyses of isolates from Tanzania and Papua New Guinea revealed similar positivity rates with the same allelic types identified. The number of alleles detected per isolate, however, varied systematically between the laboratories especially at high parasite densities. When the analyses were repeated within the laboratories, high agreement was found in getting positive or negative results but with a random variation in the number of alleles detected. The msp2 locus appeared to be the most informative single marker for analyses of multiplicity of infection. Genotyping by PCR is a powerful tool for studies on genetic diversity of P. falciparum but this study has revealed limitations in comparing results on multiplicity of infection derived from different laboratories and emphasizes the need for highly standardized laboratory protocols.

Item ID:	49859
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1878-3503
Keywords:	malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, genetic analysis, genotypes, polymerase chain reaction, msp1, msp2, glurp, multicentre study, interlaboratory variation
Funders:	Praxis XXI, DGlZ European Communion, Swedish International Development Agency, Wellcome Trust (WT), UK Medical Research Council (MRC), Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Swiss National Foundation (SNF)
Date Deposited:	15 Aug 2017 01:09
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111717 Primary Health Care @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920499 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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