PCR assays

Scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control have for the first time directly compared the ability of three types of PCR assays to detect DNA from various species of Plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria.
According to the results of their work, the so-called "nested" PCR assay — currently considered the gold standard despite being more time- and labor-intensive — is still more effective than easier-to-perform semi-nested or single-tube multiplex PCR assays for detecting Plasmodium.
http://www.genomeweb.com/pcrsample-prep/cdc-researchers-verify-nested-pcr-assay-gold-standard-malaria-dx