Determining the Efficiency of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test to Diagnose Post Transfusion Malaria in Children Under Five Years Old at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Post-transfusion malaria in children under five years is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The RDTs currently are used to supplement microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria in many endemic countries. However their efficiency as a screening tool for the detection of malaria in donors or in transfusion recipients has not been well evaluated. This study aimed to determine the efficiency of malaria RDT in the detection of post transfusion malaria. Material and methods: The study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015. Blood samples from 179 patients and their corresponding donors were tested for <i>Plasmodium</i> parasitaemia using RDT and microscopy. The recipients’ blood samples were obtained within 48 hours after transfusion for malaria diagnosis. To determine the incidence of post transfusion malaria, 32 patients were purposefully selected. Their pre-transfusion, post transfusion and donor blood samples were tested for malaria using PCR. Results: Approximately 52% of the study population were within the age group of 0 - < 1 year. Prevalence of malaria in blood donors was 27% by RDT and 7% by microscopy. Prevalence at pre-transfusion was 34% by RDT and 13% by microscopy. Prevalence at post transfusion was 59% by RDT and 4% by microscopy. Incidence of post transfusion malaria by PCR was 57%. The sensitivity of RDT in detecting malaria at post transfusion was 100%. Conclusion: Efficiency of malaria RDT as a tool for malaria diagnosis at post transfusion, among children under five years old is good. Clinicians should consider implementing the use of malaria RDT at post transfusion.