Abstract
Background of Study: The reliability of microscopic techniques has become questionable in most endemic regions in Africa leading to its decreased utilization and increased utilization of RDT kits and other laboratory-based methods. Objective: To evaluate the performance of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits and nest Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) methods in detecting malaria infections among pregnant women visiting private hospitals in Onitsha district area of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 100 blood samples of pregnant women submitted to medical laboratory units of private maternal hospitals for malaria diagnosis in Onitsha district area were randomly selected for this study. Diagnosis was through microscopy, RDT kit (SD Bioline Pf-only test) and nPCR. Results: Pregnant cohorts had 95, 90 and 12 positive samples confirmed through microscopy RDT and nPCR respectively. RDT had a sensitivity and specificity of 89.47% and 0% while nPCR recorded sensitivity and specificity of 12.63% and 100% respectively. RDT and nPCR have a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94.44% of 100% respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that nPCR is more efficient and reliable when compared with RDT in the diagnosis of malaria infection, having recorded the highest value for positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity than the RDT among pregnant women.
Highlights
Each year, millions of people are infected with malaria parasite, with an undesirable effect of over one million deaths [1]
This study revealed that nest Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) is more efficient and reliable when compared with Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in the diagnosis of malaria infection, having recorded the highest value for positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity than the RDT among pregnant women
RDT revealed a total of 90 positive malaria cases and 10 negative results while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed only 12 samples positive for malaria (Table 1)
Summary
Millions of people are infected with malaria parasite, with an undesirable effect of over one million deaths [1]. In sub-Saharan Africa, research has shown that over 30 million pregnant women per year are at risk of malaria [5]. Objective: To evaluate the performance of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits and nest Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) methods in detecting malaria infections among pregnant women visiting private hospitals in Onitsha district area of Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 100 blood samples of pregnant women submitted to medical laboratory units of private maternal hospitals for malaria diagnosis in Onitsha district area were randomly selected for this study. Conclusion: This study revealed that nPCR is more efficient and reliable when compared with RDT in the diagnosis of malaria infection, having recorded the highest value for positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity than the RDT among pregnant women
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