Resumen

ARROSPIDE V, Nancy, PURAY C, Maritza, GUZMAN S, Elisa et al. Uso de pruebas rápidas inmunocromatográficas para la detección de Plasmodium falciparum en donantes de sangre en Perú. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica, abr./jun. 2004, vol.21, no.2, p.76-81. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objective: To assess the degree of usefulness of OptiMal DiaMed ® rapid test for diagnosing P. falciparum malaria in blood donors in places with high, medium, and low risk for malaria transmission in Peru. Material and Methods: A prospective and multicenter study was performed in 8 blood banks in 4 Peruvian regions. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the OptiMal DiaMed ® test were assessed in 918 blood donors, comparing this test against the thick blood smear, which is considered as the gold standard. Results: One positive case was found in assays, as well as 16 false positives and no false negatives. OptiMal DiaMed ® in this study had 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity, with 5.5% positive predictive value and 100% negative predictive value. Conclusions: OptiMal DiaMed ® has good specificity and sensitivity levels, and it can be used as a screening test for diagnosing P. falciparum malaria in blood banks.

Palabras llave: Blood donors; Plasmodium falciparum; Malaria; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Peru.