Journal of Nepal Medical Association (Jan 2004)

The Parasight -F Test use in malaria Epidemic in Nepal

  • Murali Lal Das,
  • S N Jha,
  • S Bhattacharya,
  • S Koirala

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.603
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 43, no. 151

Abstract

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A field based trial to compare microscopy and a rapid diagnostic antigen capture detection dipstick (ParaSightTM-F) to diagnose malaria was conducted in 2 village development committees (VDCs) of Nepal during epidemic (1996/97). 57 and 273 subjects were tested from Parasan and Guthiparsauni VDC respectively yielding 15 (26.3%) and 152 (55.7%) positive by ParaSightTM -F who were given radical treatment on the spot. Compared to thick blood film (TBF), the ParaSight F (PSF) test was 93.8% and 94.4% sensitivity respectively in Parasan and Guthiparsauni for the detection of P. falciparum malaria. There were 10 false negative results with the PSF test from the two villages; 6 samples with <100 parasites / ? l, 1 sample with 240 parasite/? l and 3 samples having only gametocytes. In this population, the PSF was found to be highly accurate simple and rapid suggesting that it is suitable to be used in remote areas and/or epidemic situation for prompt treatment. However microscopy is good to prevent transmission of the parasites from gametocyte carriers. Key Words: Malaria, diagnosis, ParaSightTM - F, An. fluviatilis, epidemic, Nepal.