Table 4.

Comparison of quantitative real time PCR and light microscopy for gametocyte quantification and sexual differentiation of Plasmodium vivax^*

ID no.	Real-time RT-PCR			Light microscopy
	Pvg377	ATii	Pvs28	F Gc	M Gc	Gc
3†	+	–	4.7 × 103	–	+	7.2 × 103
6†	–	–	7.6 × 104	+	–	4.2 × 103
7†	+	+	3.4 × 106	+	–	3.8 × 103
8†	+	+	1.3 × 106	–	+	4.3 × 103
9†	+	+	7.9 × 106	–	+	1.6 × 104
11†	+	+	5.5 × 105	+	+	6.4 × 102
12	+	+	2.4 × 106	–	+	2.9 × 103
13	+	–	1.8 × 104	–	+	2.9 × 102
14	–	+	1.1 × 104	–	+	6.9 × 102
16	+	+	2.2 × 106	+	–	2.4 × 103
18	+	+	7.3 × 104	+	–	1.6 × 103
20	+	+	3.4 × 105	+	+	7.3 × 103

^*A subset of samples were analyzed by qRT-PCR to determine the sensitivity of gametocyte sex detection on the basis of expression of Pvg377 (PVX_101400) or ATii (PVX_098630) RNA from macro- or microgametocytes, respectively. Mature gametocyte density was quantified by expression of Pvs28 (PVX_111180) RNA from patient samples. Gametocyte density is expressed as no. parasites/μL of patient blood. PCR = polymerase chain reaction; ID = identification; RT = reverse transcription; FGc = macrogametes detected on slide; MGc = microgametes detected on slide; ATii = alpha tubilun ii; ii, Gc = gametocytes detected on slide; + = detected; – = not detected.

^†Samples that generated ookinetes.