Development of PCR-RFLP assay for the discrimination of Plasmodium species and variants of P. vivax (VK210, VK247 and P. vivax-like) in Anopheles mosquitoes

► A new assay to identify Plasmodium species in Anopheles. ► We examine sequences of the Plasmodium CS gene. ► A close agreement between the CS-PCR and the gold standard nested PCR. ► The PCR-RFLP developed is an integral component of malaria control programs.