Nucleic acid probes and methods for detecting
This invention relates to novel nucleic acid-based probes and methods for detecting Plasmodium parasites in biological samples as well as detecting different Plasmodium parasites selectively from one another.
1. A method for detecting the presence of Plasmodium falciparum in a sample, said method comprising the steps of:
a) contacting said sample with a nucleic acid probe suitable for detecting Plasmodium falciparum in a hybridization assay, the probe consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2 or the full-length complement of SEQ ID NO: 2, and optionally a label, under conditions that permit said probe to hybridize to Plasmodium falciparum nucleic acid; and
b) detecting said probe bound to said Plasmodium falciparum nucleic acid as an indication of the presence of Plasmodium falciparum in said sample.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid probe is the full-length complement of SEQ ID NO: 2.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting probe bound to said Plasmodium falciparum nucleic acid by Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (FISH).
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting probe bound to said Plasmodium falciparum nucleic acid by a Dot Blot assay.