Plasmodium DNA fluoresces with berberine : A novel approach for diagnosis of malarial parasites

The key to reducing mortality and morbidity associated with malaria is rapid diagnosis and early, effective therapy. Berberine, a plant alkaloid, has been used for fluorescent staining of the Y chromosome. We evaluated whether berberine can be used for staining of malarial parasites in 40 selected p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of clinical pathology 2005-09, Vol.124 (3), p.408-412
Main Authors: TALWALKAR, Sameer S, VAIDYA, A. B, GODSE, Chhaya, VAIDYA, Akhil, VAIDYA, Rama
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Berberine
Biological and medical sciences
DNA, Protozoan - analysis
Fluorescence
Human protozoal diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Malaria
Malaria - diagnosis
Malaria - parasitology
Medical sciences
Parasitic diseases
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Plasmodium - genetics
Plasmodium - isolation & purification
Protozoal diseases
Staining and Labeling
Y Chromosome
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Summary:The key to reducing mortality and morbidity associated with malaria is rapid diagnosis and early, effective therapy. Berberine, a plant alkaloid, has been used for fluorescent staining of the Y chromosome. We evaluated whether berberine can be used for staining of malarial parasites in 40 selected peripheral blood smears from patients with clinical symptoms of malaria; smears were evaluated with OptiMal (DiaMed, Miami, FL) and Giemsa stain. Twenty were positive with both OptiMal and Giemsa (Plasmodium vivax, 14; Plasmodium falciparum, 6); 10 were negative with both. The remainder were positive by OptiMal but negative by Giemsa and, therefore, were classified as equivocal. All slides were processed simultaneously, stained with berberine, and read under a fluorescent microscope. P vivax and P falciparum DNA fluoresced with berberine. The positives and negatives by berberine concurred with the Giemsa staining. Of the 10 equivocal smears, 5 were confirmed positive by berberine. Gametocytes were easily identifiable. This test has high sensitivity and high positive predictive value and, once standardized, can be used as a potential screening and diagnostic tool.
ISSN:0002-9173
1943-7722
DOI:10.1309/CG7037YYPBUBV703