-
Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of The Carestart Malaria Hrp2 And Pldh/hrp2 Combo Compared To Microscopy In The Diagnosis Of Malaria. (microbiology)
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
Page 2 of 2
-
-
-
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Microscopy has been in use for over
100 years and is inexpensive, rapid and relatively sensitive when used
appropriately (Laveran, 1891). Microscopy is regarded as the ‘gold
standard’ for malaria diagnosis (WHO, 1999). However, the lack of
skilled scientists in medical facilities in affected areas often leads
to poor interpretation of data. In addition, microscopy is time
consuming, labour intensive, and cannot detect sequestered P. falciparum
parasites (Leke et al., 1999). It is less reliable at low-density
parasitaemia that is, 50 parasites (ml blood) (Kilian et al., 2000; Bell
et al., 2005). Even though microscopy is cheap, reliable and available
on an instant base, it has limitations. For instance, in
resource-limited centres, there are problems of equipment, training
manpower, and workload, whereas in non-endemic countries, laboratory
staff may lack sufficient exposure to malaria positive samples resulting
in low expertise (Moody, 2002; Hanscheid, 2003).
In Nigeria, RDTs
are still new to the people, and they are unsure of the efficacy,
accuracy and authenticity. It has been 7 years since the launching of
malaria RDTs in Nigeria but the populace know little or nothing about
Malaria RDTs due to poor promoting from the part of manufacturers. In
addition, the implementation of RDTs also faces many difficulties such
as logistics; transport and continuous supply, limited shelf life and
the need of proper storage rooms. RDTs are quickly affected by humidity
and extreme temperatures (Wongsrichanalai et al., 2007). They are not
able to quantify parasitaemia and may give false positive results owing
to the persistence of antigens that can remain in the circulation of a
patient after treatment (Wongsrichanalai et al., 2007).
1.2 Significance of the Study
The essence of continuous research and development is to find a way to
improve the lives of people around the globe. Thus, finding an
alternatively cheap, fast, convenient and effective way to diagnosis
malaria is a key to control malaria. This study is therefore
significant in many ways:
1. The finding of this study will be
useful and helpful to the Federal and State Government with regard to
malaria eradication in making decisions on implementation of RDTs for
routine diagnosis in the Nigeria, especially in rural areas.
2.
The findings of this study will provide an alternative, effective and
reliable diagnosis of malaria patients in both those that are
asymptomatic and symptomatic.
3. RDTs are fast, easy to perform and relatively cheap and can easily be used by both the trained and untrained.
1.3 Research Questions
1. What is the efficacy of SD Bioline and Carestart when compared to microscopy?
2.
Can RDTs such as SD Bioline and Carestart be alternative for the gold
standard (microscopy) in the diagnosis of malaria.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
HA: RDTs are more efficient in the detecting of malaria cases than microscopy
HO: Microscopy is more efficient in defecting malaria than RDTs
1. Aims and Objectives of the Study
The aims and objectives of this study were to:
1.
Evaluate the efficacy of the Carestart Malaria HRP2 and pLDH/HRP2 Combo
compared to microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria.
2.
Determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative
predictive values of the malaria RDTs to microscopy.
3. Determine the relationship between malaria parasite density and results of malaria RDTs.
4. Correlate results of negative malaria detection rate by microscopy to results of malaria RDTs.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
Page 2 of 2
-
