Bull World Health Organ. 1986;64(5):641-52.
Current progress in the development and potential application of DNA probes for malaria diagnosis was reviewed at an informal WHO Consultation in Geneva in October 1985. The development and use of such probes for malaria diagnosis is based on the premise that within any organism there are unique DNA sequences which differentiate that organism from closely related organisms. DNA probes specific for Plasmodium falciparum have been developed in several laboratories. Their major characteristic is that they are highly repeated within the P. falciparum genome. Their reported sensitivity in laboratory studies of from 5-10 pg to 1 ng DNA, which is equivalent to 10(2)-10(4) ring-stage parasites in a single sample, appears to be well within the range of that obtained by standard microscopical diagnosis. The technique, therefore, apparently has potential for operational use. A test based on use of the complete genome of P. falciparum has also been developed, and studies have recently been initiated on the diagnostic application of RNA probes and DNA probes specific for the human malaria parasites.Limited field evaluation of these probes indicates a sensitivity which compares well with that of traditional microscopy. However, this is based on the use of (32)P as a radioactive marker so that the test cannot be used in situations where there is no well-equipped laboratory. Attempts are, therefore, being made both to simplify the test and to develop non-radioactive methods for labelling the probes. The application of these techniques for malaria diagnosis within primary health care is discussed.
1985年10月，在日内瓦举行的一次世卫组织非正式磋商会议上，对用于疟疾诊断的DNA探针的开发进展及其潜在应用进行了回顾。开发和使用此类疟疾诊断探针的前提是，任何生物体都有独特的DNA序列，这些序列可将该生物体与亲缘关系密切的其他生物体区分开来。多个实验室已开发出针对恶性疟原虫的DNA探针。其主要特点是在恶性疟原虫基因组中高度重复。据报道，它们在实验室研究中的灵敏度为5 - 10皮克至1纳克DNA，相当于单个样本中10² - 10⁴个环状体期寄生虫，这一灵敏度显然在标准显微镜诊断所获灵敏度范围内。因此，这项技术显然具有实际应用潜力。一种基于使用恶性疟原虫完整基因组的检测方法也已开发出来，最近还启动了针对人类疟原虫的RNA探针和DNA探针诊断应用的研究。对这些探针进行的有限现场评估表明，其灵敏度与传统显微镜检查相当。然而，这是基于使用³²P作为放射性标记，因此在没有装备完善实验室的情况下无法使用该检测方法。因此，人们正在努力简化检测方法，并开发非放射性的探针标记方法。本文还讨论了这些技术在初级卫生保健中用于疟疾诊断的应用情况。
