Comparison of Polymerase Chain Reaction, Microscopy, and Rapid DiagnosticTest in the Detection of Plasmodium Vivax Parasite in Clinically Suspected Malaria Patients

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 PhD, Department of Genetic, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Health Vice Chancellery of Isfahan Medical University, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 PhD, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopic method in comparison with PCR in the detection of Plasmodium vivax parasites in suspected malaria cases.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, out of 207 febrile patients suspected of malaria, for microscopic diagnosis, blood sample was taken from each person's finger and spread, and after staining with Giemsa dye, were examined with a 100 X optical microscope lens. Whole blood samples were collected from all suspected individuals and rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and also DNA extraction and PCR was performed. To check the validity of different methods, the diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value), ROC curve and Kappa coefficient (к) of all three methods was compared.
Findings: In this study, microscopy and RDT compared to PCR have sensitivity of 96% and 94% and specificity of 100% and 98.2%, respectively. Also, the kappa coefficient in the microscopic method is 0.96 and the RDT was 0.91.
Conclusion: Considering the values of sensitivity and specificity, as well as the high kappa coefficient in the microscopic method and RDT, both methods have a very good agreement with the PCR.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 41, Issue 723
3rd Week, August
July and August 2023
Pages 452-458

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 February 2023
  • Accept Date: 09 July 2023

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