Abstract

ARROSPIDE V, Nancy; FLORES P, Ruben  and  RUIZ C, Jose. Evaluación de una prueba rápida para el diagnostico de Malaria en áreas endémicas del Perú. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.2, pp.81-86. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objectives: To assess sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for a rapid test based on pLDH detection (OptiMALR individual kits) for diagnosing malaria in endemic areas in Peru. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional studied performed in febrile patients taken care of in health centers in Northern Peruvian Amazon Jungle (San Martin and Loreto Departments), from April to December 2001. Each patient had a thick blood smear, OptiMALR test and parasite density test performed in a blinded fashion. Tests were performed by trained personnel and later they were reassessed in the National Malaria Reference Laboratory. Sensitivity (S), specificity (E), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPP) were calculated for OptiMALR test compared to thick blood smears for diagnosing malaria and identifying Plasmodium species (P. falciparum and P. vivax). Results: 346 samples were included, 170 of them were reported as positive. OptiMALR test had the following values: S= 95,7%; E= 97,1%; PPV= 97,7%; NPV= 95,3%, independently of identified species. For P. falciparum the values were: S= 90,5%, E= 97,3%, PPV= 67,9%, and NPV= 99,4%; while for P. vivax those values were S= 92,0%; E= 99,0%; PPV= 98,7%, and NPV= 93,5%. Sensitivity values stratified for parasitemia were 97,0% (5000 parasites/¥ìL), 99% (100.5000 parasites/¥ìL, and 50% (<100 parasites/¥ìL). Conclusions: OptiMALR rapid test is a method with good sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing malaria, and it can be used in places where laboratory or microscope facilities are not available.

Keywords : Malaria/diagnosis; Sensitivity & Specificity; Diagnostic test.

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