Diagnosing malaria: Methods, tools, and field applicability

Abstract

Diagnosing malaria is a key component of effective case management and monitoring of antimalarial programs worldwide. This chapter features the different diagnostic approaches currently in use or under testing for use in case management and/or epidemiological studies of malaria. Emphasis is laid on the basic principles of each diagnostic approach as well as their operational limits under different malaria endemicity settings. The discussed methods are defined as “conventional” or “unconventional” depending on their widespread use in malaria case management. The chapter therefore provides a practical guide to students, health practitioners, and field researchers involved in the fight against malaria through community-based interventions.