Utility of Malaria Rapid Kit in the Diagnosis of Malarial Parasite in A Tertiary Care Hospital-An Observational Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Malaria is one of the tropical infectious diseases with 249 million cases occurring in 2022. The
World Health Organization-South East Asia Region (WHO-SEARO) accounted for about two
percent of the total malaria burden. Early diagnosis is the mainstay of effective management
of any disease and its importance is well recognized in malaria.
METHODS
An observational cross-sectional study conducted from April 2023 to May 2024 on 100 febrile
patients who were sent to Clinical Pathology department for screening of malarial parasites at
Government General Hospital, Kakinada. The main objective of the study was to analyse the
utility of Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (MRDT) in the diagnosis of malaria and to compare
both MRDTs and peripheral blood smear microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria.
RESULTS
After taking a consent form, blood samples were collected and screened for malaria parasites
microscopically and by using MRDTs. Data collection forms were filled with relevant
information and obtained results for MRDTs and for peripheral blood smear were recorded.
The collected data were statistically analyzed using MS Excel sheet. The age group range from
2yr to 83yr. In this study peripheral blood smear microscopy was considered as a gold standard
method. The sensitivity and specificity of MRDT antigens were calculated and found to be
96.6% and 60% respectively. The negative predictive value was found to be 92.85% where
positive predictive value was 73.3%.