Antigen Detection Assay As A Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Malaria Against Standard Microscopy

ABSTRACT Study was conducted to evaluate performance of rapid diagnostic tests, an Immunochromatographic antigen detection assay for diagnosis of malaria using parasite lactate dehydrogenase antigen (pLDH Ag) against standard microscopy of Giemsa stained thick blood film and Field’s stained thin blood film. A total 350 patients with suspected malaria, coming to Sir T. Hospital, taken as a study sample. Thin blood film & Thick smears were made & examine for malaria parasite by light microscopy & whole blood samples were tested with Immunochromatographic antigen detection assay. Out of which 146(41.7%) were positive by blood film while 137(39.1%) were positive by Immunochromatographic antigen detec-tion assay test. Blood film shows 108 (73.9%) were positive for Plasmodium Vivax and 38 (26.1%) were positive for plasmodium Falciparum. Immunochromatographic antigen detection assay test shows 103 (75.2%) were positive for Plasmodium vivax and 34(24.8%) were positive for Plasmodium Falciparum with sensitivities of 95.3 % and 84.2 % compared to traditional blood film for detection of plasmodium Vivax & Falciparum. Rapid diagnostic test proved to be valuable adjuvant to clinical and blood film microscopy