Recombinase Polymerase Amplification and Lateral Flow Assay for Ultrasensitive Detection of Low-Density Plasmodium falciparum Infection from Controlled Human Malaria Infection Studies and Naturally Acquired Infections
Albert Lalremruata, Nguyen Trong The, Matthew B. B. McCall, Ghyslain Mombo‐Ngoma, Sélidji Todagbé Agnandji, Ayôla Akim Adégnika, Bertrand Lell, Michael Ramharter, Stephen L. Hoffman, Peter G. Kremsner, Benjamin Mordmüller
Abstract
Microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are the main diagnostic tools for malaria but fail to detect low-density parasitemias that are important for maintaining malaria transmission. To complement existing diagnostic methods, an isothermal reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification and lateral flow assay (RT-RPA) was developed. We compared the performance with that of ultrasensitive reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (uRT-qPCR) using nucleic acid extracts from blood samples ( n = 114) obtained after standardized controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) with Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites.