Comparison of a parasite lactate dehydrogenase-based immunochromatographicantigen detection assay (Optimal (R)) with microscopy for the detection ofmalaria parasites in human blood samples
Ah. Cooke et al., Comparison of a parasite lactate dehydrogenase-based immunochromatographicantigen detection assay (Optimal (R)) with microscopy for the detection ofmalaria parasites in human blood samples, AM J TROP M, 60(2), 1999, pp. 173-176
Citations number
5
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Medical Research General Topics
Microscopic examination of blood smears remains the gold standard for malar
ia diagnosis, but is labor-intensive and requires skilled operators; Rapid
dipstick technology provides a potential alternative. A study was conducted
in The Gambia to compare the performance of OptiMAL(R), an immunochromatog
raphic antigen detection assay for the diagnosis of malaria using parasite
lactate dehydrogenase, against standard microscopy in patients with suspect
ed malaria. For initial diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum, irrespective of
stage, this assay had a sensitivity of 91.3%, a specificity of 92%, a posi
tive predictive value of 87.2%, and a negative predictive value of 94.7%. T
he sensitivity of the test decreased markedly at parasitemias < 0.01%. This
assay can be used for the diagnosis of malaria in areas where microscopy i
s not available and for urgent malaria diagnosis at night and at weekends,
when routine laboratories are closed and when relatively inexperienced micr
oscopists may be on duty.