Feasibility and Acceptability of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for Malaria at Gazira State

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.