title: A country-wide field evaluation of rapid diagnostic test for meningococcal meningitis.
abstract: We comment on a unique country-wide scale field evaluation of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for meningococcal meningitis in Niger. The authors reported the good sensitivity and specificity of the test, and the reliability of results obtained in the field by non-specialized health staff. This finding allows us to consider RDT as a good candidate laboratory tool to be used for the case-based surveillance system, post introduction of the new conjugate A vaccine (MenAfriVac) in the African meningitis belt countries. In addition, RDT is also a potential point of care test to improve the management of meningitis patients.
authors.affiliation: P.O. Box 2290, 98703 Punaauia, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chanteau
mesh_terms: D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D009548:Niger; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: C573970:MenAfriVac; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: Meningococcal meningitis; Rapid diagnostic test