Plasmodium vivax MSP-3ß Gene as a Genetic Marker for the Parasite Detection in Comparison with Ssrrna Gene

Background: the importance of accurate diagnosis of all of major diseases cannot be underestimated and efficient laboratorytesting is vital to identifying and treating life-threatening illnesses including malaria. in this study, we compared thepotential of one of merozoite surface protein genes, pvmsp-3ß, for detection of plasmodium vivax in blood samples bypcr with routinely used marker, ssrrna gene.methods: one hundred p. vivax microscopy-positive blood samples were simultaneously tested with two genetic markers,including pvmsp-3ß gene and ssrrna gene by pcr and nestedpcr method, respectively, and their sensitivity and specificityin detection of p. vivax was compared.results: an important difference was seen in sensitivity between the 2 genetic markers, 100% in case of ssrrna gene vs. 95%of pvmsp-3ß gene. the specificity of the two markers was same (100%). microscopic diagnoses of thick and thin blood smearswas used as golden standard method.conclusion: due to critical importance of accurate detection of the parasite in malarious area, the pvmsp-3ß gene cannotbe a suitable marker for detection of p. vivax in blood sample by pcr. more investigations are needed to find other valid markers.