Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction in Malaria Research
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I am Tambo Ernest, student in pharmacology/therapeutics department,
University of Ibadan, presently working with the malaria group, in
PIMRAT in molecular basis of resistance to pyrimethamine/sulphadoxine
reported to be high in West Africa.
I believe as reported in Tanzania some few years back other east Af-
rican countries will or could suffer the same dilemma if appropriate
action is not taken early enough for youths (children) and pregnant
women in particular.
The use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is tremendous in charac-
terisation, identification and detection of early mutations in DHFR
and DHPS respectively thus helping in the reduction of the rate of
prevalence and early intervention. PCR is very efficient, accurate
and safe though for us in developing countries access to this sophis-
ticated instruments still a high luxury, unaffordable and expensive.
Sir, it is my belief that the use of recent markers in chloroquine or
s/p resistance could go along way in attenuating the devastating ef-
fects of Malaria in Africa and as well help in the "Roll Back Malaria
Programme".
Ernest Tambo
Postgraduate Student
College of Medicine
University of Ibadan
Nigeria
mailto:ernesttambo@hotmail.com
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