THE USE OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION FOR MORE SENSITIVE DETECTIONOF PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM

The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum in children and adults living in a malaria-endemic area in Papua New Guinea was determined by micros copy and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), The sensitivity of detect ing P, falciparum infections increased two-fold with PCR, Undetected i nfections by microscopy were more frequent in adults (including adoles cents) than in children. Detecting this subpatent parasitaemia by PCR resulted in an equal P, falciparum prevalence in children and adults; in children the parasitaemia rate increased from 32% to 48% and in adu lts from 23% to 47%, In more than 50% of all blood samples positive fo r P. vivax and P, malariae an underlying P. falciparum infection remai ned undetected by microscopy, The introduction of PCR has opened up ne w possibilities in malaria diagnosis and research.