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Preservation and Extraction of Malaria Parasite DNA from Dried Blood Spots

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Malaria Immunology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2470))

Abstract

Molecular studies related to diagnosis and research rely on collection of blood samples and extraction of high-quality DNA. In Africa, where the populations carried 94% of the total burden of cases and deaths due to malaria in 2019, collection of samples is often challenged by remote study areas and lack of a cold chain to transport and store samples. Collection of blood on filter paper is a technique that is less invasive and has simpler requirements regarding training of staff, storage, and transport of samples than collection of venous blood samples. Dried blood spots (DBS) are therefore commonly used in many research projects. However, DNA quality can be affected by duration and conditions of storage. The quality of the DNA for molecular analyses also depends on a DNA extraction methodology that provides high-quality DNA with high purity and yield. Several protocols for DNA extraction have been described, and many comparative studies have analyzed and optimized the different methodologies to find an alternative to the more costly commercial extraction kits. This chapter describes recommendations for storage and preservation of DBS, and a Chelex-based protocol for extraction of DNA from DBS.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Helle Hansson, Queen Saidi & Michael Alifrangis

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen N, Denmark

    Helle Hansson, Queen Saidi & Michael Alifrangis

  3. Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania

    Queen Saidi

Authors
  1. Helle Hansson
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  2. Queen Saidi
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  3. Michael Alifrangis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helle Hansson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Anja Tatiana Ramstedt Jensen

  2. Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Lars Hviid

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Hansson, H., Saidi, Q., Alifrangis, M. (2022). Preservation and Extraction of Malaria Parasite DNA from Dried Blood Spots. In: Jensen, A.T.R., Hviid, L. (eds) Malaria Immunology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2470. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2189-9_4

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-2188-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-2189-9

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