Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2002 · 122 citations · 4 references
Veterinary MedicineInfectious DiseasesDiagnostic MicrobiologyDiagnostic ParasitologyMolecular DiagnosticsAntigen Detection AssaysAssay ValidationDiagnostic Test EvaluationMalariaMedical ParasitologyRapid Diagnostic TestsInter-observer ReliabilityMalaria ParasitesMalaria Rapid Diagnostic TestsMalaria ScreeningMalaria Smear ExaminationPlasmodium FalciparumRapid Antigen TestsRapid Screening Tests
A study was conducted to measure the overall performance of several rapid diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum infection, in order to select the most appropriate test to be used in the field. A total of 742 patients attending the out-patient department of Mbarara Hospital with a clinical suspicion of malaria were included in the study. For each patient, a thick/thin film and 5 rapid tests based on the detection of histidine-rich protein II (HRP-II) (Paracheck Pf dipstick and device, ParaHIT f, Malaria Rapid and BIO P.F.) were performed. Outcomes were validity, inter-reader reliability and 'ease of use in the field', measured by both the general characteristics of the test and by the opinion of the readers. About half (57%) of the patients were positive for P. falciparum. The Paracheck Pf (dipstick and device) was considered as the most appropriate for the use in the field, being sensitive (97%), moderately specific (88%), reliable (kappa coefficient = 0.97), easy to use and cheap (about US$ 0.5/test). The ParaHIT f represented a good alternative.
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