Abstract:
This study was carried out in Wad Medani in Algezera state
between Nov. 2008 and Nov. 2009. The aim the of study was to
compare
blood
film
(microscopy)
with
the
immuno-
chromatography test (ICT) histidine –rich protein -2 (HRP-2)
and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH) antigen based test
in the diagnosis of malaria parasite to find out an alternative
method which is sensitive, simple, cheap and accurate in
detecting malaria parasite. In the first part of the study, 150
samples were examined by ICT composed of histidine –rich
protein -2 (HRP-2) and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH)
antigens based test and microscopic examination. Demographic
data of the patient was collected including clinical symptoms
due to infection. Out of the 130 samples examined 30 samples
were collected as negative controls and one handred samples
were found to be positive by microscopy while only 57 samples
were found positive by histadine –rich protein -2 (HRP-2) and
parasite lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH) antigens based test.
The sensitivity of histadine –rich protein -2 (HRP-2) and
parasite lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH) antigen based test was
57% and the specificity was 100%. All the (ICT) negative
microscopy positive 43 samples were of low parasitaemia
represented as one cross (+).
The study showed that history of fever and headache was good
indicators for malaria infection. The frequency of fever was
found to be 80% and headache 92% compared to uninfected
individuals. Also fever during the follow up period decreased
significantly from 100% to complete absence.
