High proportion of mixed-species Plasmodium infections in India revealed by PCR diagnostic assay.

Accurate diagnosis is the key to effective treatment and control of malaria. We screened 180 microscopically diagnosed Indian malaria-positive blood samples for pure and mixed infections by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. An unusually high proportion of mixed infections was detected, signifying the sensitivity of PCR assay over traditional microscopic diagnosis.