Automated detection of haemozoin-containing monocytes for the diagnosis of malaria in microscopically negative cases during pregnancy.
Plasmodium falciparum sequesters in the placenta. Cell-Dyn automated flow cytometric haematology analysers have the capacity to detect haemozoin-containing circulating leukocytes during routine FBC analysis. In Lambaréné, Gabon, 685 FBCs of pregnant women were analysed, yielding 86.8% sensitivity and 78.5% specificity compared to microscopy. In a subset of 37 Cell-Dyn positive but microscopy negative samples, PCR detected five positive cases. This methodology may serve as an adjunct rapid diagnostic tool for malaria during pregnancy, even in microscopically negative cases.
Hänscheid
Thomas
T
Medical Research Unit, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Längin
Matthias
M
Codices
Vera
V
Luty
Adrian J F
AJ
Adegnika
Ayola A
AA
Kremsner
Peter G
PG
Grobusch
Martin P
MP
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D006420:Hemeproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008853:Microscopy; D009000:Monocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000469:parasitology*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D006420:Hemeproteins; C020753:hemozoin