title: The ParaSight-F rapid dipstick antigen capture assay for monitoring parasite clearance after drug treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
abstract: Three methods for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum infection in peripheral blood were compared during antimalarial treatment and follow-up in 32 Burundian patients: dipstick antigen capture assay, standard (TBF) and prolonged thick blood film examination (PTBF) (3 x 5 min and 3 x 20 min examination respectively). Parasitaemia was determined daily by comparison with total white blood cell counts (determined by Coulter counter) until no parasite was detected on 2 consecutive days by PTBF. Cumulatively, 231 observations were made with each assay: 64 were negative and 167 positive by PTBF (59 had parasite counts < or = 100/microL). Compared to PTBF, the sensitivities of TBF and the dipstick assay were 1.0 for parasite counts > 100/microL and 0.458 and 0.966 respectively for counts < or = 100/microL. Overall, the dipstick assay was significantly more sensitive (0.988 vs. 0.808; P < 0.001) but less specific (P = 0.013) than TBF. The dipstick assay is of potential use for monitoring response to drug treatment and for detecting low parasitaemias.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Perri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olliaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Allegranzi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deganello
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vento
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanzafame
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cazzadori
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonora
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Concia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000097:blood; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000962:Antimalarials; D011506:Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011934:Reagent Strips; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein