Abstract

CABEZAS S, César et al. Evaluación del uso de una prueba rápida inmunocromatográfica en promotores de salud para el diagnóstico de la malaria en áreas rurales de la Amazonía peruana*. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica [online]. 2004, vol.20, n.1, pp.4-11. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objective: To assess concordance of the results obtained by village health promoters compared to those obtained by laboratory professionals in rural Amazon areas during the application of a rapid immunochromatographic test for diagnosing malaria. Material and methods: The concordance of the results of the rapid immunochromatographic test for diagnosing malaria (OptiMalÒ) performed by village health promoters from 20 rural communities near Iquitos (Loreto) compared to the results obtained by laboratory professionals was assessed in two steps: in the laboratory, where 618 samples with known parasite concentrations were assessed, and in the field, where samples from 419 patients were assessed. The test is based on the detection of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax lactate dehydrogenase using reactive strips. Results: In the laboratory stage, 618 samples with known parasite concentrations were evaluated, 121 of them were negative and 497 were positive (251 for P. falciparum and 246 for P. vivax). In the second stage in the field, 419 febrile patients were evaluated. Of these, 156 had malaria (53 P. falciparum and 103 P. vivax). The results obtained by village health promoters and laboratory professionals were compared. Sensitivity, specificity and concordance Kappa indexes were 88,5%, 90,1% and 0,689, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and Kappa indexes were 94,4%, 96,5% and 0,909, respectively. The average time for performing the test by the village health promoters was 25 minutes. Conclusions: A good concordance in results obtained by both groups was found. This study shows that the use of rapid diagnosis tests would be an appropriate and useful alternative for the early diagnosis of malaria in jungle rural areas with limited access to health services.

Keywords : Malaria/diagnosis; Laboratory Techniques and Procedures; Peru.