Photo-induced electron transfer real-time PCR for detection of plasmodium falciparum plasmepsin 2 gene copy number

Abstract

Piperaquine is an important partner drug used in artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). An increase in the plasmepsin 2 and 3 gene copy numbers has been associated with decreased susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to piperaquine in Cambodia. Here, we developed a photo-induced electron transfer real-time PCR (PET-PCR) assay to quantify the copy number of the P. falciparum plasmepsin 2 gene (PfPM2) that can be used in countries where P. falciparum is endemic to enhance molecular surveillance.