Background: Traditionally, the most common diagnostic approach used for diagnosing leptospirosis was the demonstration of immune-seroconversion in acute and convalescent patient serum samples. Recently, a variety of molecular techniques, including conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been developed for the specific detection of pathogenic bacteria from the genus Leptospira. PCR is a sensitive, specific, and rapid technique that has been successfully used to detect several microorganisms; including those of clinical significance. Methods: In this study, we developed a multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay for detecting Leptospira’s DNA. The mPCR assay detects both the 16S rRNA gene and the major outer membrane lipoprotein gene, which is known as LipL32. Representative serovars were tested from 10 species of Leptospira and 23 other species of bacteria. Results: A positive result was obtained from all leptospiral serovars. The amplification sensitivity for the multiplex assay was 21.8 pg and 1 x 103 leptospires/ml. This mPCR assay has the potential to facilitate a rapid and sensitive diagnosis for acute leptospirosis. Conclusion: The mPCR assay developed in this study can be used for the early detection of leptospirosis. The LipL32 gene could also serve as another target to aid in the efficient detection of leptospiral infection because using 2 sets of primers in mPCR increases the sensitivity and specificity of the test.

Protein kinases (PKs) are regulators of protein phosphorylation in many infectious diseases, including malaria. However, the cellular functions of majority of PKs in Plasmodium falciparum remain unknown. The mechanisms involved in P. falciparum cell cycle progress are not fully understood. The activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which constitute a PK family that includes crucial regulators of cell cycle progression in eukaryotes, is strictly being coordinated by the interaction with specific cyclins at well-defined points within the cell cycle. These cyclin/CDK complexes are very well characterised in humans, but little is known in P. falciparum. This review expand our understanding of the characteristic of CDKs and cyclins in P. falciparum, and paves the way for further investigations on the precise molecular role of these crucial regulatory proteins in mosquito and human. This represents a valuable step towards the elucidation of cell cycle control mechanisms in malaria parasites.