Identification of Cases by Non-Microscopic Rapid Diagnostic Test in Suspected Malaria Infection in Community Setting

Background: Malaria presents a diagnostic challenge in most tropical countries. Malaria is diagnosed predominantly by using clinical criteria, with microscopy as gold standard for detecting parasitemia. Recently rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been developed for situations in which reliable microscopy may not be available. Objective: To identify the cases of malaria by nonmicroscopic Care Start malaria Pf/Pv combo RDT in suspected malaria infection in community setting. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted from October to December 2010 in Ehsas Field Hospital, Kot Addu, District Muzaffargarh. Data was collected from Medical and Paediatric outpatient departments of field hospital. Patients of age 5 – 75 years were included in the study. Malaria was clinically suspected in patients with recent fever, chills and/or anemia and was confirmed by Care Start malaria Pf/Pv combo RDT as per the manufacturer’s instruction. Data was analyzed by SPSS 17. This study was not sponsored by manufacturer. Results: Among patients of age 5 – 75 years, 2196 patients were clinically suspected and 1767 cases were confirmed for malaria infection by RDT common age group suspected was 16 – 25 yaers 556 (25%). Case identification rate of RDT was 80%. Conclusion: Non-microscopic Care Start malaria Pf/Pv combo RDT has reliable diagnostic accuracy to identify confirmed cases of malaria infection and may be preferred during malaria epidemics in community setting.