Self-testing for falciparum malaria with antigen-capture cards by travelers with symptoms of malaria

Kits for self-diagnosis of malaria by travelers in remote areas have been a dvocated. Antigen-capture test cards work reliably in the laboratory, but t here is limited data regarding self-testing by ill patients. One hundred an d fifty-three symptomatic patients presenting for a malaria test attempted self-diagnosis using these kits. Nine percent failed to perform a valid tes t. Against blood-film proven malaria, specificity was 97% (95% confidence i ntervals [CI] 93-99%) and sensitivity 95% (95% CI 74-99%). Although these r esults are encouraging, technical problems need to be addressed and test se nsitivity proven by additional field-testing before this technology can be marketed to travelers.