A comparative laboratory diagnosis of malaria: microscopy versus rapid diagnostic test kits

doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60029-X

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

Volume 2, Issue 4, April 2012, Pages 307-310

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60029-X Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To compare the two methods of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria.

Methods

RDTs and microscopy were carried out to diagnose malaria. Percentage malaria parasitaemia was calculated on thin films and all non-acute cases of plasmodiasis with less than 0.001% malaria parasitaemia were regarded as negative. Results were simply presented as percentage positive of the total number of patients under study. The results of RDTs were compared to those of microscopy while those of RDTs based on antigen were compared to those of RDTs based on antibody. Patients' follow-up was made for all cases.

Results

All the 200 patients under present study tested positive to RDTs based on malaria antibodies (serum) method (100%). 128 out of 200 tested positive to RDTs based on malaria antigen (whole blood) method (64%), while 118 out of 200 patients under present study tested positive to visual microscopy of Lieshman and diluted Giemsa (59%). All patients that tested positive to microscopy also tested positive to RDTs based on antigen. All patients on the second day of follow-up were non-febrile and had antimalaria drugs.

Conclusions

We conclude based on the present study that the RDTs based on malaria antigen (whole blood) method is as specific as the traditional microscopy and even appears more sensitive than microscopy. The RDTs based on antibody (serum) method is unspecific thus it should not be encouraged. It is most likely that Africa being an endemic region, formation of certain levels of malaria antibody may not be uncommon. The present study also supports the opinion that a good number of febrile cases is not due to malaria. We support WHO's report on cost effectiveness of RDTs but, recommend that only the antigen based method should possibly, be adopted in Africa and other malaria endemic regions of the world.

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: Available online 28 April 2012

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Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

References (15)

Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction analysis for diagnosis of falciparum malaria in Delhi India

Indian J Med Microbiol

Malaria self medications and choices of drugs for its treatment among residents of a malaria endemic community in West Africa

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Study comparing the clinical profile of complicated cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among adults and children

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Impact of a decade-long anti-malaria crusade in a West African community

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Prevalence of hypoglycemia among severe malaria children in a rural African population

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Anopheline mosquitoes and their role for malaria transmission in an endemic area, southern Iran

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Effects of methanolic seeds extract of Carica papaya on Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Asian Pac J Trop Med

Cited by (64)

Key cytokines and hematological parameters in patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Hodeidah, Yemen

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Prediction of malaria positivity using patients’ demographic and environmental features and clinical symptoms to complement parasitological confirmation before treatment

Evaluating the stability of host-reference gene expression and simultaneously quantifying parasite burden and host immune responses in murine malaria

Malaria epidemiological characteristics and control in Guangzhou, China, 1950–2022

Unravelling the impact of insecticide-treated bed nets on childhood malaria in Malawi

Document headingA comparative laboratory diagnosis of malaria: microscopy versus rapid diagnostic test kits

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Indian J Med Microbiol

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Asian Pac J Trop Dis

Effects of methanolic seeds extract of Carica papaya on Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Asian Pac J Trop Med

Document heading
A comparative laboratory diagnosis of malaria: microscopy versus rapid diagnostic test kits