Diagnosis of Clinical Malaria using blood smears Polymerase Chain Reaction and Immunochromatogrphic methods

Abstract

The present study was carried out using blood samples collected from malaria endemic area in Sinnar state, this area is characterized by seasonal but stable malaria transmission. In this study 100 blood samples were collected from malaria patients who reported to the health clinic, to compare the detection of P.falciparum using blood film, ICT and PCR methods, furthermore the parasitaemia were determined in all collected samples. Using microscopic blood examination method P.falciparum infection was detected in on 100 blood samples then parasitaemia were counted, the gender ratio of the participants was 57 females : 43 males. Children (6 – 14 years) were the most affected age group (54 %) in both sex (26 % girls & 28 % boys) with average parasitaemia 6872 ± 11225 parasite/µL, children less than 5 years (21%) had the highest parasitaemia (average parasitaemia 18967 ± 31060 parasite/µL). Lower parasite rate (3%) were found in females of age group (41–60 years) (average parasitaemia 1319 ± 913 parasite/µL). No infection was appeared in males of age groups of (41 – 60 years) and ( > 60 years). Using P.C.R technique the presence of DNA of P.falciparum was detected in all collected samples. The immunological technique (ICT) was applied to detect P.falciparum by detection of Histidine Rich Protein – 2 (HRP-2) using I.C.T which prepared with Anti-HRP-2 antibodies, the results showed the presence of P.falciparum antigen in all samples. The data presented here, has provided a strong evidence to support the reliability of these methods in diagnosis of parasite in malaria patient. The blood smear, polymerase chain reaction and immunochromatography test had similar sensitivity in diagnosis of P.falciparum malaria.