title: QBC and Giemsa-stained thick blood films: diagnostic performance of laboratory technologists.
abstract: This study compared the proficiency of military medical technicians in the diagnosis of malaria using Giemsa-stained thick blood films (GSF) and the QBC system. Fourteen technicians, with no previous experience of the QBC and limited experience in interpreting GSF, were given training in the 2 techniques and then tested on their ability to make a malaria diagnosis when provided with previously prepared GSF and QBC specimens (9 positive and 10 negative). The students achieved a sensitivity of 75% and 84%, respectively, with the QBC and GSF; specificity was 84% and 76%. There was no difference in the concordance of the 2 techniques with the actual diagnosis (80% vs. 81%).
authors.affiliation: Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Number 6, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-5040, USA.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Clendennen
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Baird
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D008889:Military Personnel; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling