Utility of intradermal blood smear in the detection of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the usefulness of intradermal smear microscopy (IDS) in the detection of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy. Peripheral venous blood (PVB) served as control. The preference for the collection technique of dermal blood was also assessed.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty (150) asymptomatic women were recruited. They had both intradermal smear and peripheral venous blood smear were made for all patients. Measures of test validity included sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate. Test of statistical significance was with Yates correlation at 95% confidence limit.


RESULTS
The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia was higher using intradermal smear (35.3% vs 33.3%) though this was not statistically significant. Intradermal smear had a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 67%. The positive predictive value was 37.8% with accuracy rate of 58%. 41% of participants preferred the technique of collection of intradermal blood.


CONCLUSIONS
Intradermal smear appears to have no usefulness in the detection of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy. However, we recommend more studies on its value in pregnancy, especially amongst symptomatic pregnant women.
Okusanya
B O
BO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
Eigbefoh
J O
JO
Ohiosimuan
O
O
Isabu
P A
PA
Okpere
E E
EE
Inyang
N J
NJ
D000328:Adult; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult