Is rapid diagnostic test (malaria Pv/Pf Ag card test) reliable in diagnosing malaria

Background: Malaria is a protozoan disease transmitted by the bite of infected female anopheles mosquitoes is one of the most important parasitic diseases of human with transmission in 109 countries, affecting more than one billion people worldwide. This study was planned to compare the gold standard i.e. peripheral blood smear examination and the newer rapid diagnostic test (malaria plasmodium falciparum/ plasmodium vivax antigen card) to know the diagnostic accuracy of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits. Methods: All the suspected cases of WHO defined malaria between 1month to 18 years of age were enrolled in the study.Results: Out of 96 clinically suspected cases of malaria 63 were confirmed by peripheral smear. The age range of participants ranged from 4 months to 17 years. On peripheral smear examination, out of 96 clinically suspected cases, 37 (38.5%) cases were positive for P. vivax, 23 (23.9%) were positive for P. falciparum and 3 (3.1%) were positive for both parasites by microscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of RDT for Plasmodium Vivax is 92.5% and 96.4% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of RDT for Plasmodium Falciparum is 96.2% and 90%.Conclusions: The rational use of RDTs as a complement to microscopy might give substantial health benefits through earlier treatment, reduction in morbidity and mortality and more rationalized approach for choosing anti-malarial drugs, which in terms may prevent drug resistance.