PARASIGHT-F TEST TO DIAGNOSE MALARIA IN HYPO-ENDEMIC AND EPIDEMIC PRONE REGIONS OF VIETNAM

The antigen capture ParaSight-F test was evaluated during a drug sensi tivity survey in a hypoendemic region of northern Vietnam. When only a sexual blood forms of P. falciparum were considered, sensitivity of Pa raSight-F was 100%, specificity 88% (95% CI 95-80%), positive predicti ve value 68% (95% CI 85-50%) and negative predictive value 100%. ParaS ight-F proved very convenient for rapid screening and selection of pat ients to enrol in a drug sensitivity study. In northern Vietnam, the i ntroduction of the test as a routine diagnostic tool is not justified, considering its high cost, the necessity to carry out the treatment o f presumptive Plasmodium vivax cases and the persistence st positive r eactions following treatment. However, the test will be a valuable too l in remote areas in emergency situations, where rapid confirmation of a P. falciparum outbreak is required.