title: Immunochromatographic Methods in Malaria Diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in India. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) test in diagnosis of malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood slides of 400 patients who presented with fever including 104 patients with clinical features suggestive of malaria were studied. The results were compared with microscopy and another immunochromatography test (ICT) based on detection of histidine rich protein-2 antigen [Pfhrp-2] secreted by Plasmodium falciparum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study the sensitivity and specificity for detection of Plasmodium vivax was 100% while for Plasmodium falciparum the values were 96% and 100% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICT is useful for diagnosis of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in field but microscopy of a well-prepared blood smear must not be omitted in a laboratory setting.
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Pathology and Immunopathology) 166 Military Hospital, C/o 56 APO.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Senior Advisor (Microbiology) INHS Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai 400005.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Misra
keywords: Immunochromatography; Malaria