Advertisement!
Author Information Pack
Editorial Board
Submit article
Special Issue
Editor's selection process
Join as Reviewer/Editor
List of Reviewer
Indexing Information
Most popular articles
Purchase Single Articles
Archive
Free Online Access
Current Issue
Recommend this journal to your library
Advertiser
Accepted Articles
Search Articles
Email Alerts
FAQ
Contact Us
Indian Journal of Pathology: Research and Practice

Volume  6, Issue 1, January - March 2017, Pages 131-133
 

Original Article

Evaluation of Different Diagnostic Techniques for Malaria in a Tertiary Health Care Centre, Karnataka

Padmaja Kulkarni*, Nagaraj Lakshmeshwar**

*Associate Professor, **Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri, Karnataka.

Choose an option to locate / access this Article:
90 days Access
Check if you have access through your login credentials.        PDF      |
|

Open Access: View PDF

DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijprp.2278.148X.6117.22

Abstract

 Context: Malaria is endemic in tropics and subtropics with India contributing to 75% of the cases in South East Region. The early diagnosis of malaria is essential to treat patients and to prevent complications especially in cerebral malaria. Aims: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different techniques available like Peripheral smear, Quantitative Buffy coat (QBC), and Rapid Diagnostic tests (RDT) in the diagnosis of malaria. Settings and Design: Prospective study for duration of one year. Methods and Material: Blood samples from all clinically suspected cases of malaria were routinely subjected to peripheral smear examination, QBC & RDT for the presence of malaria parasite. Statistical analysis used: Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive predictive value and Negative predictive value were analyzed using standard formulae. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive value and Negative predictive values were 100%, 99.6%, 97% and 100% for QBC and 100%, 99.2%, 95% and 100% for RDT respectively. Conclusions: RDTs are equally or more sensitive and specific than peripheral smear and QBC. Newer Pf /Pv specific antigen card can distinguish mixed and PF infections unlike old Pf/ Pan RDTs. However further studies are required to assess cost effectiveness and efficiency of different RDTs.

Keywords: Malaria Diagnosis; Rapid Diagnostic Test; QBC.


Corresponding Author : Padmaja Kulkarni*