English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in the world including India. Majority of malarial cases are found in countries where cost-effectiveness, diagnostic test performance ease, and trained personnel, are the most important considerations. We wanted to compare the two methods of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria parasite infection. METHODS We studied 2,723 blood samples of patients who presented with signs and symptoms of malaria from out patient department (OPD) and various wards of Pacific Institute of Medical Science, Udaipur, Rajasthan, from Oct 2018 to Oct 2019. All samples obtained were first tested by RDTs and then the same samples were used to make peripheral blood film (PBF) for microscopy. RESULTS During the 1-year period, rapid card test method showed 178 positives for malarial parasite. Of these, 64 cases were positive for P. vivax and 108 cases for P. falciparum. Peripheral blood smear method showed 160 cases positive for malarial parasite. Of these, 55 cases were positive for P. vivax and 99 cases for P. falciparum and 6 cases of co-infection. PBF failed to detect 9 cases of P. vivax and 9 cases of P. falciparum which were positive by rapid card test. So, 18 cases reported PBF negative. Among these patients, there were 83 females and 95 males. Most affected age group was 16 – 30 years followed by 31 – 45 years. Maximum samples were from the month of October 19 with a positivity rate 35.4 %. CONCLUSIONS RDTs based on malaria antigen (whole blood) method is as specific and more sensitive than microscopy (which is being considered as the gold standard method). Peripheral blood smear method still remains superior for accurate species differentiation, quantitation of parasite and maintaining a permanent record. KEYWORDS Microscopy, Malaria, Rapid Diagnostic Tests