Evaluation of Blood Smears, Quantitative Buffy Coat and Rapid Diagnostic Tests in the Diagnosis of Malaria

Abstract

Rapid diagnosis of malaria is important for the administration of effective treatment, to reduce the morbidity and mortality. The present study was carried out to compare the efficacy of quantitative buffy coat (QBC) and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) with conventional peripheral blood smears. Blood samples from 100 patients were obtained with symptoms suggestive of malaria. A total of 74(74%) cases were positive by blood smears, while 80(80%) and 71(71%), were positive by QBC and RDT(Falcivax). Blood smears indicated that 74% (55 0f 74) of the patients were positive for P.vivax and 25% (19 of 74) were infected with P.falciparum. QBC showed that 75 % (60 0f 80) were positive for P.vivax and 25% (20 of 80) were infected with P.falciparum. Falcivax identified 74 % (53 of 71) were positive for P.vivax and 25 % (18 of 71) of P.falciparum. QBC had a sensitivity and specificity of 74.3% and 80.7% for P.vivax and 100% and 98.7% for P.falciparum. Falcivax had a specificity of100% and sensitivity of 96.3% and 94.7%.