Performance of OptiMAL-IT compared to microscopy, for malaria detection in Burkina Faso.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance of OptiMAL-IT, a rapid diagnostic test for malaria, with that of microscopy in Burkina Faso.


METHODS
Finger-prick blood samples of 464 children attending hospital for suspected malaria were tested for malaria by microscopy and OptiMAL-IT.


RESULTS
The sensitivity and specificity of OptiMAL-IT were 98.7% (CI 95% = 97.6-99.8) and 96.2% (CI 95% = 94.3-98.1) respectively, with a high positive likelihood ratio (25.97).


CONCLUSIONS
OptiMAL-IT can be considered a good method to diagnose malaria in Burkina Faso, particularly in remote areas with little or no access to microscopy services.
Valéa
Innocent
I
Centre Muraz, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. valinno@yahoo.fr
Tinto
Halidou
H
Nikiema
Madi
M
Yamuah
Lawrence
L
Rouamba
Noel
N
Drabo
Maxime
M
Guiguemde
Robert T
RT
d'Alessandro
Umberto
U
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008853:Microscopy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase