title: Rapid evaluation of malaria parasite density and standardization of thick smear examination for epidemiological investigations.
abstract: The results of epidemiological surveys and the follow-up of malaria endemicity are often difficult to compare due to the high frequency of low-density parasitaemia in semi-immune populations. Detecting malaria parasites is dependent on the conditions and methods of parasitological examination. A standardized method of examination in epidemiological surveys is proposed: this includes the systematic rapid determination of parasite density.
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification