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Malaria – Test Now Detects Fifth Species



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June 2011

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites in the genus Plasmodium. It is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are found worldwide. The four main species causing human malaria are Plasmodium falciparum (the deadliest species), P ovale, P vivax, and P malariae. A fifth species, P knowlesi (pronounced nolls-eye) is now recognized as an important cause of human disease in Southeast Asia. This species is responsible for up to 75% of malaria infections in some areas, and has been transmitted to travelers from the United States, Sweden, Spain, France, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mayo Clinic’s Malaria Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test now detects and differentiates the fifth human malaria species, Plasmodium knowlesi. This species is often misidentified by blood smear morphology due to its resemblance to Plasmodium malariae, a less virulent species.

Test: Malaria, Molecular Detection, PCR (87860)

Useful for:

  • Confirmation of a suspected diagnosis based on blood film examinations or rapid antigen detection methods
  • Plasmodium speciation – important since different species receive different treatment and have different prognoses
  • Plasmodium knowlesi identification – an emerging public health concern in travelers to Southeast Asia
  • Differentiation of Plasmodium species from Babesia species – parasites appear similar by blood smear morphology but cause very different diseases and are treated differently
  • Detection of low-level parasitemia – PCR has greater sensitivity than blood films

NOTE: All specimens with a positive malaria PCR result receive a blood smear for determination of percent parasitemia.

Other Vector-Borne Disease Tests

Visit the Vector-Borne Disease Tests page for more information on tests for diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, including:

Other Parasitic Disease Tests

Visit the Other Parasitic Disease Tests page for information on tests for diseases transmitted by other parasites, including:

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