Detection and Quantitation of Circulating Plasmodium falciparum DNA by Polymerase Chain Reaction

This chapter describes the application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and quantitation of Plasmodium falciparum DNA in the plasma of malariainfected individuals. The procedure includes the following protocols: plasma sample preparation, DNA extraction, detection of P. falciparum DNA in the plasma by nested PCR, and quantitation of P. falciparum DNA in the plasma by real-time PCR technology.