Abstract
Three methods for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum infection in peripheral blood were compared during antimalarial treatment and follow-up in 32 Burundian patients: dipstick antigen capture assay, standard (TBF) and prolonged thick blood film examination (PTBF) (3×5 min and 3×20 min examination respectively). Parasitaemia was determined daily by comparison with total white blood cell counts (determined by Coulter counter) until no parasite was detected on 2 consecutive days by PTBF. Cumulatively, 231 observations were made with each assay: 64 were negative and 167 positive by PTBF (59 had parasite counts ≤100/μL). Compared to PTBF, the sensitivities of TBF and the dipstick assay were 1 · 0 for parasite counts >100/μL and 0 · 458 and 0 · 966 respectively for counts ≤100/μL. Overall, the dipstick assay was significantly more sensitive (0 · 988 vs. 0 · 808; P < 0 · 001) but less specific ( P = 0 · 013) than TBF. The dipstick assay is of potential use for monitoring response to drug treatment and for detecting low parasitaemias.
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