title: Field evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic dipstick test for the diagnosis of cholera in a high-risk population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early detection of cholera outbreaks is crucial for the implementation of the most appropriate control strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The performance of an immunochromatographic dipstick test (Institute Pasteur, Paris, France) specific for Vibrio cholerae O1 was evaluated in a prospective study in Beira, Mozambique, during the 2004 cholera season (January-May). Fecal specimens were collected from 391 patients with acute watery nonbloody diarrhea and tested by dipstick and conventional culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall sensitivity and specificity of the rapid test compared to culture were 95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91%-99%) and 89% (95% CI: 86%-93%), respectively. After stratification by type of sample (rectal swab/bulk stool) and severity of diarrhea, the sensitivity ranged between 85% and 98% and specificity between 77% and 97%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This one-step dipstick test performed well in the diagnosis of V. cholerae O1 in a setting with seasonal outbreaks where rapid tests are most urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: The International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Korea. xywang@ivi.int
authors.forename: Xuan-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ansaruzzaman
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mondlane
authors.forename: Marcelino E S
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Seidlein
authors.forename: Jacqueline L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Deen
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ampuero
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.forename: Taesung
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Clemens
authors.forename: Claire-Lise
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chaignat
authors.forename: Minoarisoa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rajerison
authors.forename: Farida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nato
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fournier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002771:Cholera / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique; D012306:Risk; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity