TITLE:
Comparison of Microscopic Determination and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) in the Detection of Plasmodium Infection
AUTHORS:
Onyeka Linda Anagu, Moses Nkechukwu Ikegbunam, Chinelo Kene Unachukwu, Ogwaluonye Uchenna C, Charles Okey Esimone
KEYWORDS:
Plasmodium falciparium, Microscopy, Rapid Diagnostic Tests
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.5 No.8,
August
24,
2015
ABSTRACT: Malaria infection is the most common diagnosis made in Africa. Efficient diagnosis
of malaria parasite is very vital for treatment of malaria infection. The
efficacy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in comparison to microscopy, the gold
standard, in the diagnosis of malaria in Nigeria has not been fully
ascertained. This study compared the sensitivity, specificity and predictive
values of RDTs available in Nigeria market with microscopy. Two RDT kits were
used and their results were compared with the gold standard, microscopy using
thick and thin blood films (TBF and tBF). TBF had sensitivity of 85%,
specificity of 30%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.2%, and negative
predictive value (NPV) of 66.6%; tBF had sensitivity of 80%, specificity of
35%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.2%, and negative predictive value
(NPV) of 63.6%. Among the RDTs, Care Start HRP2 kit had sensitivity
of 65%, specificity of 50%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 56.5%, and
negative predictive value (NPV) of 59% while SD Bioline kit had sensitivity of
55%, specificity of 65%, PPV of 61%, and NPV of 59%. It can thus be inferred
that rapid diagnostic test kits are not as sensitive as microscopy in diagnosis
of malaria parasite, but they are more accurate and are thus suitable
alternatives to microscopy.