Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species

<h4>Background</h4> Malaria elimination effort is hampered not only by the lack of effective medication but also due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic tools to detect infections with low levels of parasitemia. Therefore, more sensitive and specific high-throughput molecular diagnostic...

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Main Authors: Melkamu Bedimo Beyene, Seifegebriel Teshome, Yehenew A., Zewdu Terefework, Antoine R. Stuitje, Tamrat Abebe, Habtamu B. Beyene
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9352105/?tool=EBI
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author Melkamu Bedimo Beyene
Seifegebriel Teshome
Yehenew A.
Zewdu Terefework
Antoine R. Stuitje
Tamrat Abebe
Habtamu B. Beyene
author_facet Melkamu Bedimo Beyene
Seifegebriel Teshome
Yehenew A.
Zewdu Terefework
Antoine R. Stuitje
Tamrat Abebe
Habtamu B. Beyene
author_sort Melkamu Bedimo Beyene
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4> Malaria elimination effort is hampered not only by the lack of effective medication but also due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic tools to detect infections with low levels of parasitemia. Therefore, more sensitive and specific high-throughput molecular diagnostic approaches are needed for accurate malaria diagnosis. <h4>Methods</h4> In the present study, the performance of a novel single-tube MC004 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) was assessed for the detection of infection and discrimination of Plasmodium species. Blood samples (n = 150) were collected from malaria suspected patients at Adama malaria diagnosis and treatment centre, Adama, central Ethiopia. The positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), analytical sensitivity and specificity of the assay were assessed against the conventional microscopic method. <h4>Results</h4> Plasmodium species were detected in 59 (39.3%) of the samples by microscopy and in 62 (41.3%) by the novel MC004 RT-PCR. Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections with Plasmodium falciparum & Plasmodium vivax accounted for 47.5%, 40.6% and 11.9% respectively as detected by microscopy. The MC004 RT-PCR assay identified 59.7% and 40.3% of the samples positive for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the MC004 RT-PCR assay were 95.8%, 97.8%, 92%, and 98.9%, respectively. No mixed infections were detected using the MC004 assay. <h4>Conclusion</h4> The MC004 RT-PCR assay is a useful tool for the early detection of malaria and identification of Plasmodium species with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Due to its high sensitivity, and simplicity (being a single-tube assay), the MC004 is suitable for use in clinical settings and epidemiological studies.
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spelling doaj.art-9f4b2a5602b94bed8590323b01564d0b2022-12-22T04:01:45ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01178Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium speciesMelkamu Bedimo BeyeneSeifegebriel TeshomeYehenew A.Zewdu TerefeworkAntoine R. StuitjeTamrat AbebeHabtamu B. Beyene<h4>Background</h4> Malaria elimination effort is hampered not only by the lack of effective medication but also due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic tools to detect infections with low levels of parasitemia. Therefore, more sensitive and specific high-throughput molecular diagnostic approaches are needed for accurate malaria diagnosis. <h4>Methods</h4> In the present study, the performance of a novel single-tube MC004 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) was assessed for the detection of infection and discrimination of Plasmodium species. Blood samples (n = 150) were collected from malaria suspected patients at Adama malaria diagnosis and treatment centre, Adama, central Ethiopia. The positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), analytical sensitivity and specificity of the assay were assessed against the conventional microscopic method. <h4>Results</h4> Plasmodium species were detected in 59 (39.3%) of the samples by microscopy and in 62 (41.3%) by the novel MC004 RT-PCR. Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections with Plasmodium falciparum & Plasmodium vivax accounted for 47.5%, 40.6% and 11.9% respectively as detected by microscopy. The MC004 RT-PCR assay identified 59.7% and 40.3% of the samples positive for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the MC004 RT-PCR assay were 95.8%, 97.8%, 92%, and 98.9%, respectively. No mixed infections were detected using the MC004 assay. <h4>Conclusion</h4> The MC004 RT-PCR assay is a useful tool for the early detection of malaria and identification of Plasmodium species with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Due to its high sensitivity, and simplicity (being a single-tube assay), the MC004 is suitable for use in clinical settings and epidemiological studies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9352105/?tool=EBI
spellingShingle Melkamu Bedimo Beyene
Seifegebriel Teshome
Yehenew A.
Zewdu Terefework
Antoine R. Stuitje
Tamrat Abebe
Habtamu B. Beyene
Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
PLoS ONE
title Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
title_full Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
title_fullStr Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
title_short Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
title_sort assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel rt pcr fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9352105/?tool=EBI
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