AbstractAim: Evaluation of Rapid diagnostic tests compared to peripheral smear in the diagnosis of malaria.Methods and Materials: This is a retrospective hospital-based study was conducted in the Department ofpathology, NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India for 9 months. During this period, 1835 blood samples were received formalaria diagnosis from clinically suspected cases. Blood samples were collected in EDTA vacutainer tube.Peripheral smears were made on a clean glass slide with a drop of blood, air dried and stained with Leishmanstain. Smears were thoroughly examined under oil immersion for the presence of malaria parasite. Of 1835samples, 600 samples were randomly selected and Rapid Diagnostic test was performed using Antigen based Pf(HRP-II) and PV (pLDH) specific kit. Procedure was performed as per manufacturer’s instructions.Results: Of the 600 Peripheral smears studied, 175 showed positive for malarial parasite. Plasmodium Vivax (Pv)was diagnosed in 173 Cases, Plasmodium Falciparum (Pf) was identified in one case and one smear showed mixedinfection with both Plasmodium Vivax and Plasmodium Falciparum. Rapid Diagnostic test showed 189 positivecases, of which 178 were plasmodium Vivax, four cases were Plasmodium Falciparum and seven cases showedmixed infection with Falciparum and Vivax. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value and NegativePredictive value were 100%, 96.7%, 92.5% and 100% respectively.Conclusions: Peripheral smears are considered to be gold standard for diagnosis of malaria. RDTs can be moresensitive and specific than peripheral smears. Newer Pf /Pv specific antigen card can distinguish mixed and PFinfections. However further studies are required to assess cost effectiveness and efficiency of different RDTs.

AbstractAim: Evaluation of Rapid diagnostic tests compared to peripheral smear in the diagnosis of malaria.Methods and Materials: This is a retrospective hospital-based study was conducted in the Department ofpathology, NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India for 9 months. During this period, 1835 blood samples were received formalaria diagnosis from clinically suspected cases. Blood samples were collected in EDTA vacutainer tube.Peripheral smears were made on a clean glass slide with a drop of blood, air dried and stained with Leishmanstain. Smears were thoroughly examined under oil immersion for the presence of malaria parasite. Of 1835samples, 600 samples were randomly selected and Rapid Diagnostic test was performed using Antigen based Pf(HRP-II) and PV (pLDH) specific kit. Procedure was performed as per manufacturer’s instructions.Results: Of the 600 Peripheral smears studied, 175 showed positive for malarial parasite. Plasmodium Vivax (Pv)was diagnosed in 173 Cases, Plasmodium Falciparum (Pf) was identified in one case and one smear showed mixedinfection with both Plasmodium Vivax and Plasmodium Falciparum. Rapid Diagnostic test showed 189 positivecases, of which 178 were plasmodium Vivax, four cases were Plasmodium Falciparum and seven cases showedmixed infection with Falciparum and Vivax. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value and NegativePredictive value were 100%, 96.7%, 92.5% and 100% respectively.Conclusions: Peripheral smears are considered to be gold standard for diagnosis of malaria. RDTs can be moresensitive and specific than peripheral smears. Newer Pf /Pv specific antigen card can distinguish mixed and PFinfections. However further studies are required to assess cost effectiveness and efficiency of different RDTs.