Correlation of parasite quantification using varATS, TARE-2, and 18S rRNA qPCRs and parasite densities in Rufiji, Tanzania.

(A) Parasite quantities determined by ultra-sensitive assays and their correlation with 18S rRNA quantification. Quantification was done relative to copy numbers of plasmid standards (18S rRNA, varATS) or a parasite dilution row (TARE-2). Quantities of samples negative in 18S rRNA qPCR but positive in ultra-sensitive assays are shown in the left (varATS) and right (TARE-2) panels. (B) P. falciparum densities based on TARE-2, varATS, and 18S rRNA qPCRs by age (in years). The geometric mean in each age group is marked by a diamond; the median is denoted by a black line.