The Comparison of Microscopic Method and Rapid Diagnostic Test in Detecting Plasmodium species

Abstract

Background: Since Iran is one of the malaria endemic areas, diagnosis of this disease is important. Although the microscopic study of stained peripheral blood smears is as a gold standard of malaria diagnosis, this method requires a microscope, the equipment, and trained people. Because of some problems associated with microscopic method in some situations, rapid diagnostic test (RDTs) can be a suitable alternative. Nevertheless, then diagnosis of malaria should be approved by microscopic Objectives: The rapid diagnosis of disease and treatment of patients is necessary to identify the contributing factors and break the cycle of transmission. In order to achieve this goal, we need a method that requires no special equipment such as microscopes, paint trays, and specially trained technicians for microscopic detection method Patients and Methods: Blood sample were drawn from the finger of 178 patients with suspected malaria by a technician. Two methods of microscopic detection and RDT kits with immune chromatographic procedures were employed to diagnose malaria. Finally, all slides and cassettes of RDT kits were transferred to Zahedan for reviewing and control. Results: After data collection, the results of 178 samples were reported according to the Plasmodium species. RDT detected 71.4% of Plasmodium vivax while microscopic method had detected all the cases (100%). Although there was a significant difference between two methods of diagnosis in detecting P. vivax (P < 0.05), the results were the same in diagnosing Plasmodium falciparum (100%). Conclusions: Our study showed that only 71.4% of all positive samples for P. vivax were detected by RDT. The results were the same for both methods in diagnosis of P. falciparum.