QBC(R) AND GIEMSA-STAINED THICK BLOOD FILMS - DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS

This study compared the proficiency of military medical technicians in the diagnosis of malaria using Giemsa-stained thick blood films (GSF) and the QBC(R) system. Fourteen technicians, with no previous experie nce of the QBC(R) and limited experience in interpreting GSF, were giv en training in the 2 techniques and then tested on their ability to ma ke a malaria diagnosis when provided with previously prepared GSF and QBC(R) specimens (9 positive and 10 negative). The students achieved a sensitivity of 75% and 84%, respectively, with the QBC(R) and GSF; sp ecificity was 84% and 76%. There was no difference in the concordance of the 2 techniques with the actual diagnosis (80% vs. 81%).