USAGE OF A RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR MALARIA IN CHILDREN

Authors

  • Céline Nguefeu Nkenfou Laboratory of Systems Biology, “Chantal Biya” International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), Yaounde, Cameroon.
  • Vestale Ngo Hell Catholic University, School of Health Sciences, Yaounde, Cameroon.
  • Nguefack-Tsague Georges Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.
  • Marie Nicole Ngoufack Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Carine Nguefeu Nkenfou Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Nelly Kamgaing Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.
  • Alexis Ndjolo Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Keywords:

Malaria, Rapid diagnostic test, Performance, thick blood smear, Microscopy

Abstract

Background: Malaria is still the primary cause of pediatric deaths. The efficient management of pediatric malaria requires its rapid and accurate diagnosis. To fulfill this requirement, rapid diagnostic tests have been developed, but their evaluation before commercialization is never exhaustive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a rapid diagnostic test (SD Bioline Malaria Antigen P.f/Pan) to diagnose malaria in children. Materials and Methods: Testing was conducted on children aged between 6 months and 15 years who were examined at the CME-FCB as a result of fever. Enrollment took place from April to October 2014. All children presenting with fever were sampled (3ml of blood). These blood samples were tested for malaria using microscopy on a thick blood smear and by a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) SD Bioline Malariae Antigen P.f/Pan. Results: A total of 249 children were enrolled in this study. Malaria presence as determined by microscopy and by RDT was 30.9% and 58.2% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values compared to microscopy were: 75; 48.8; 39, and 81.6%. With these performances, the malaria SD Bioline rapid test presents lower values compared to WHO recommendations for rapid tests (sensitivity > 95%) in children. Conclusion: SD Bioline Malaria Antigen P.f/Pan test should only be used in peripheral health structures that lack resources, and should be aided by clinical diagnosis.

Author Biographies

Céline Nguefeu Nkenfou, Laboratory of Systems Biology, “Chantal Biya” International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), Yaounde, Cameroon.

Laboratory of Systems Biology, “Chantal Biya” International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), Yaounde, Cameroon.

Vestale Ngo Hell, Catholic University, School of Health Sciences, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Catholic University, School of Health Sciences, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Nguefack-Tsague Georges, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Marie Nicole Ngoufack, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

Carine Nguefeu Nkenfou, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

Nelly Kamgaing, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Alexis Ndjolo, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon.

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Published

2018-12-12

How to Cite

Nkenfou, C. N., Hell, V. N., Georges, N.-T., Ngoufack, M. N., Nkenfou, C. N., Kamgaing, N., & Ndjolo, A. (2018). USAGE OF A RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR MALARIA IN CHILDREN. African Journal of Infectious Diseases (AJID), 13(1), 24–31. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/AJID/article/view/5222

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