Table 1 PCR conditions for the 18s-rRNA nested-PCR and the new COX-I PCRs for Plasmodium sporozoite detection

18s-rRNA genus specific PCR

nest-1 [19]

1X PCR buffer, 80 μM dNTPmix, 0.8 mM MgCl₂, 0.1 mM each primer (rPLU1–rPLU5), 0.25 U Taq polymerase

94 °C for 4 min; 35 cycles of 94 °C for 30 s, 55 °C for 1 min, 72 °C for 1 min; and 72 °C for 4 min. Time: 120 min

18s-rRNA genus specific PCR

nest-2 [19]

Same as nest-1 but using rPLU3–rPLU4 primers

Same as nest-1 but annealing temperature is 62 °C. Time: 120 min

Conventional COX-I PCR

1X PCR buffer^a, 10 mM dNTPs, 0.4 mM each primer, 1.5 mM MgCl₂ and 0.2 µL of recombinant Taq polymerase

94 °C for 5 min; 40 cycles of 94 °C for 1 min, 62 °C for 1 min, 72 °C for 90 s; and 72 °C for 10 min. Time: 155 min

Fast COX-I PCR

1X blood phusion buffer^a, 1 mM each primer, and 0.125 µL of blood phusion polymerase

98 °C for 4 min; 70 cycles of 98 °C for 1 s, 69 °C for 5 s, 72 °C for 35 s; and 72 °C for 10 min. Time: 62 min