Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania

Introduction: Several rapid diagnostic tools for malaria are currently available in local markets. However, diagnostic accuracy varies widely. The present study was conducted to evaluate a cheaply and easily available rapid diagnostic malaria test (ParaHIT-f) in rural Tanzania. Methodology: Parti...

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Main Authors: Eliningaya John Kweka, Asanterabi Lowassa, Shandala Msangi, Epiphania E Kimaro, Ester E Lyatuu, Beda J Mwang'onde, Aneth M Mahande, Humphrey D Mazigo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2011-03-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1346
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author Eliningaya John Kweka
Asanterabi Lowassa
Shandala Msangi
Epiphania E Kimaro
Ester E Lyatuu
Beda J Mwang'onde
Aneth M Mahande
Humphrey D Mazigo
author_facet Eliningaya John Kweka
Asanterabi Lowassa
Shandala Msangi
Epiphania E Kimaro
Ester E Lyatuu
Beda J Mwang'onde
Aneth M Mahande
Humphrey D Mazigo
author_sort Eliningaya John Kweka
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Several rapid diagnostic tools for malaria are currently available in local markets. However, diagnostic accuracy varies widely. The present study was conducted to evaluate a cheaply and easily available rapid diagnostic malaria test (ParaHIT-f) in rural Tanzania. Methodology: Participants presenting with fever at health centers in the Kilimanjaro and Manyara regions were eligible. Parasitological thin and thick smears were examined from finger-prick blood samples and compared to ParaHIT-f test results. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated using microscopic parasitological examination as the gold standard. Results: In total, 236/743 (31.8%) individuals had a positive malaria microscopy, and 25/715 (3.4%) were positive in the rapid diagnostic test. The sensitivity of ParaHIT-f was 10.7% (95% CI, 6.7-14.7) and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 97.4-102), with positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of 100% (95% CI, 99.1-100.2) and 70.9% (95% CI, 66.9-74.9) respectively. Sensitivity of ParaHIT-f increased with increasing P. falciparum density (P > 0.003) from 5.8% (95% CI, 0-12.9) at < 100 parasites/μl to 20.5% (95% CI, 13.5-27) at ≥ 100 parasites/μl. Conclusions: Sensitivity of the ParaHIT-f rapid test was very low in this setting, therefore concomitant use of rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy is recommended. In the case of positive test results, confirmation by parasitological techniques is not necessary. Further monitoring of ParaHIT-f in various epidemiological settings in Tanzania is warranted. 
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spelling doaj-art-b5a1ffc55a4a48959a0ae76776d148f62025-08-20T02:14:10ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802011-03-0150310.3855/jidc.1346Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern TanzaniaEliningaya John Kweka0Asanterabi Lowassa1Shandala Msangi2Epiphania E Kimaro3Ester E Lyatuu4Beda J Mwang'onde5Aneth M Mahande6Humphrey D Mazigo7Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, TanzaniaTanzania Wildlife Research Institute, PO Box 661, Arusha, TanzaniaTropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, TanzaniaTropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, TanzaniaTropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, TanzaniaTropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, TanzaniaTropical Pesticides Research Institute, Mabogini field station, Moshi, TanzaniaWeill-Bugando University College of Health Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania Introduction: Several rapid diagnostic tools for malaria are currently available in local markets. However, diagnostic accuracy varies widely. The present study was conducted to evaluate a cheaply and easily available rapid diagnostic malaria test (ParaHIT-f) in rural Tanzania. Methodology: Participants presenting with fever at health centers in the Kilimanjaro and Manyara regions were eligible. Parasitological thin and thick smears were examined from finger-prick blood samples and compared to ParaHIT-f test results. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated using microscopic parasitological examination as the gold standard. Results: In total, 236/743 (31.8%) individuals had a positive malaria microscopy, and 25/715 (3.4%) were positive in the rapid diagnostic test. The sensitivity of ParaHIT-f was 10.7% (95% CI, 6.7-14.7) and specificity was 100% (95% CI, 97.4-102), with positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of 100% (95% CI, 99.1-100.2) and 70.9% (95% CI, 66.9-74.9) respectively. Sensitivity of ParaHIT-f increased with increasing P. falciparum density (P > 0.003) from 5.8% (95% CI, 0-12.9) at < 100 parasites/μl to 20.5% (95% CI, 13.5-27) at ≥ 100 parasites/μl. Conclusions: Sensitivity of the ParaHIT-f rapid test was very low in this setting, therefore concomitant use of rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy is recommended. In the case of positive test results, confirmation by parasitological techniques is not necessary. Further monitoring of ParaHIT-f in various epidemiological settings in Tanzania is warranted.  https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1346RDTPlasmodium falciparummalariaTanzania
spellingShingle Eliningaya John Kweka
Asanterabi Lowassa
Shandala Msangi
Epiphania E Kimaro
Ester E Lyatuu
Beda J Mwang'onde
Aneth M Mahande
Humphrey D Mazigo
Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
RDT
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria
Tanzania
title Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania
title_full Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania
title_fullStr Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania
title_short Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania
title_sort low sensitivity of parahit f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers northern tanzania
topic RDT
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria
Tanzania
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1346
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