Abstract :
Background: Malaria is a serious disease caused by Plasmodium species and if left untreated, can be fatal. Four of the known species of Plasmodium commonly infect humans, P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae.
Due to the serious nature of P. falciparum infections, prompt and accurate diagnosis of the condition is essential for effective management. Keeping in mind the seriousness of the condition and the current availability of diagnostic facilities across India, we decided to compare the efficacy and accuracy of thick and thin peripheral blood smears [which is the gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria in endemic countries] with QBC (Quantitative Buffy Coat) by fluorescent microscopy and Antigen Card test for the detection of malarial parasites.
Aim: 1. To detect the diagnostic accuracy of four different tests in the diagnosis of Malaria (thick and thin peripheral blood smears, QBC and Ag Card test). 2. To evaluate the efficiency of individual tests. 3. Assessment on comparison of the various techniques in the detection of the malaria.
Settings and Design: Comparative Cross- Sectional Study done from November2017 to August 2019 on
250 patients.
Materials and Methods: The patients presenting symptoms suggestive of malaria were included. The total sample size was 250. The blood sample (containing EDTA) was first used to make peripheral blood smears and do Ag card test. The rest of the blood sample was used for QBC.
Statistical Analysis used: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value will be calculated.
Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MPQBC method was the highest among other tests in the present study and it was statistically significant (p
Conclusions: MPQBC (Malarial Parasite Quantitative Buffy Coat) method is superior to other tests. It has good sensitivity and specificity and it can detect low level of parasitemia. It is the most accurate and efficient method for the detection of malarial parasites.
Keyword :
Malaria, Peripheral smear, Ag Card test, MPQBC.