Evaluation of the RealArt Malaria LC Real-Time PCR Assay for Malaria Diagnosis
Open accessAbstract
PCR-based methods have advantages over traditional microscopic methods for the diagnosis of malaria, especially in cases of low parasitemia and mixed infections. However, current PCR-based assays are often labor-intensive and not readily quantifiable and have the potential for contamination due to a requirement for postamplification sample handling. Real-time PCR can address these limitations. This study evaluated the performance characteristics of a commercial malaria real-time PCR assay (RealArt Malaria LC Assay; Artus GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) on the LightCycler platform for the detection of malaria parasites in 259 febrile returned travelers. Compared to nested PCR as the reference standard, the real-time assay had a sensitivity of 99.5%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 99.6% for the detection of malaria. Our results indicate that the RealArt assay is a rapid (<45 min), sensitive, and specific method for the detection of malaria in returned travelers.
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In several studies using real-time PCR, either a single species was identified or no distinction between the four human parasites was made.
“In several studies in which real-time PCR was utilized, either a single-species was identified (13) or no distinction between the four human parasites was made (8, 18).”
From Real-Time PCR for Detection and Identification of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp (2005) · cites this paper as [8]
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- [2]2. Brown, A. E., K. C. Kain, J. Pipithkul, and H. K. Webster. 1992. Demonstration by the polymerase chain reaction of mixed Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections undetected by conventional microscopy. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 86: 609-612.
- [14]14. Pieroni, P., C. D. Mills, C. Ohrt, M. A. Harrington, and K. C. Kain. 1998. Comparison of the ParaSight-F test and the ICT Malaria Pf test with the polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in travellers. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 92: 166-169.
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Real-Time PCR for Detection and Identification of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp
Mangold, K. A., Manson, R. U., Koay, E. S. C., Stephens, L., Regner, M., Thomson, R. B., Peterson, L. R., & Kaul, K. L. (2005) · Journal of Clinical Microbiology · doi:10.1128/jcm.43.5.2435-2440.2005 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
Perrault, S. D., Hajek, J., Zhong, K., Owino, S. O., Sichangi, M., Smith, G., Shi, Y. P., Moore, J. M., & Kain, K. C. (2009) · The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2009.80.119 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Self-citationUneke, C. J. (2008) · Parasitology Research · doi:10.1007/s00436-007-0782-6 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
- Authors
- Farcas, G. A., Zhong, K. J. Y., Mazzulli, T., & Kain, K. C.
- Affiliations
- Institute of Medical Science, Department of Medicine
- University Health Network (CA)
- Mount Sinai Hospital (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Kain, Kevin C.
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Microbiology
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- Published
- 2004-02
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 636-638
- ISSN
- 0095-1137 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-660X
- PMC
- PMC344507
- OpenAlex
- W2117478915
- Cited by
- 87
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 9.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Microbiology (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Canada Research Chairs
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Malaria Research and Control
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Travel-related health issues
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Keywords
- malaria diagnosis, LightCycler, real-time PCR, returning travelers, febrile illness, nested PCR, assay sensitivity and specificity, mixed malaria infection, low parasitemia
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium vivax, DNA, Protozoan, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Malaria, Falciparum, Malaria, Vivax, Plasmodium ovale
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