title: Comparison of an immuno-chromatographic technique-based kit (Malaria card) with microscopy for rapid diagnosis of malaria in and around Loni, Maharashtra.
abstract: Although Plasmodium vivax is the major species responsible for malaria in most parts of India, P. falciparum infections have now increasingly been reported from some parts of India. A study was therefore, undertaken to compare immuno-chromatographic technique (ICT) based Malaria card test with microscopic examination of peripheral blood film in diagnosis of malaria in and around Loni, Maharashtra. A total of 143 (about 24%) samples of 590 febrile patients tested were detected positive for malarial infection- 74 samples for P. vivax (approx. 52%) and 69 for P. falciparum (approx. 48%). With Malaria card test, the sensitivity and specificity of 93.8% and 92.6% were recorded for P. vivax and 95.2% and 95.5% for P. falciparum, respectively. Therefore, the test is a valuable adjunct in an emergency for rapid diagnosis of malaria, though microscopy remains the mainstay for routine use in countries, like India.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Rural Medical College, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni-413736, MS, India. drashok.gpt@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ashok K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D002846:Chromatography, Affinity / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008853:Microscopy; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic