Abstract
The development of rapid and specific diagnostic test to identify individuals infected with malaria is important to control severe public health impact of this disease.This study evaluated the ability of rapid malaria diagnostic test (BIOTEC Malaria P.v/P.f rapid device) to detect Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria during out break in Chabahar province of Sistan and Balouchestan in Iran. Whole blood samples were obtained from 250 suspected malaria patients. Results from these kit were compared to the reading obtained from 100 fields of Giemsa-stained thick smear blood film.This test is rapid (15 min) for malaria detection. The device is coated with monoclonal antibodies against P. falciparum histidine rich protein-2 (PfHRP2) and enzyme parasite lactate dehydrogenase isomer of P. vivax (PLDH) . A total of 55% samples (138 of 250) were positive by blood films, while 54% samples (136 of 250) were positive by malaria P.v/P.f rapid device. The blood film indicated that 81% (112 of 138) of patients were positive for P.vivax and 19% (26 of 138) of patients were positive for P. falciparum. The malaria P.v/P.f rapid device showed that 79.6% (110 of 138) were positive for P.vivax and 1.4% (2 of 138) were negative. 19% (26 of 138) were positive for P. falciparum. These results demonstrated that the malaria P.v/P.f rapid device had sensitivity of 98.5% and specificity of 100% when compared to traditional blood films. The malaria P.v/P.f rapid device showed an excellent correlation with traditional blood films in identification of both P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria. At present for diagnosis of malaria in endemic area, this kit is rather expensive when compared to microscopy. Neverthless, it is very useful for remote areas where the necessary facilities for microscopic examination are not accessible. Key words: RDTs, PLDH, PfHRP2, malaria.
Highlights
In order to control the severe public health impact of malaria, the development of rapid and specific diagnostic tests to identify individuals infected with this disease is important
The development of rapid and specific diagnostic test to identify individuals infected with malaria is important to control severe public health impact of this disease.This study evaluated the ability of rapid malaria diagnostic test (BIOTEC Malaria P.v/P.f rapid device) to detect Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria during out break in Chabahar province of Sistan and Balouchestan in Iran
A total of 250 blood samples were analyzed for malaria parasites by the rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) method and the results were compared to results obtained from reading thin and thick blood smear
Summary
In order to control the severe public health impact of malaria, the development of rapid and specific diagnostic tests to identify individuals infected with this disease is important. Diagnosis and treatment of parasitemia is vital for the control of malaria, one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases world wide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly emphasized the urgent need for simple and cost effective diagnostic tests for malaria to over come the deficiencies of both light microscopy and clinical diagnosis (Russell et al, 2002). RDTs can help target ACTs to patients who really have malaria. Avoiding unnecessary use of ACTs on patients who do not have malaria may help prevent or delay drug resistance, making ACTs effective for a longer period (WHO, 2006)
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