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

Authors

  • Eliningaya John Kweka Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania
  • Asanterabi Lowassa Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, PO Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania
  • Shandala Msangi Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania
  • Epiphania E Kimaro Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania
  • Ester E Lyatuu Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania
  • Beda J Mwang'onde Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania
  • Aneth M Mahande Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Mabogini field station, Moshi, Tanzania
  • Humphrey D Mazigo Weill-Bugando University College of Health Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1346

Keywords:

RDT, Plasmodium falciparum, malaria, Tanzania

Abstract

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. 

Author Biographies

Eliningaya John Kweka, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania

Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, Mosquito section

Asanterabi Lowassa, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, PO Box 661, Arusha, Tanzania

Research Department

Shandala Msangi, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania

Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, Mosquito section

Epiphania E Kimaro, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania

Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control,Tsetse section

Ester E Lyatuu, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania

Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, Mosquito section

Beda J Mwang'onde, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, PO Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania

Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vectors Control, Mosquito section

Aneth M Mahande, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Mabogini field station, Moshi, Tanzania

Mabogini field station

Humphrey D Mazigo, Weill-Bugando University College of Health Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania

Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology

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Published

2011-03-21

How to Cite

1.
Kweka EJ, Lowassa A, Msangi S, Kimaro EE, Lyatuu EE, Mwang’onde BJ, Mahande AM, Mazigo HD (2011) Low sensitivity of ParaHIT-f rapid malaria test among patients with fever in rural health centers, Northern Tanzania. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:204–208. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1346

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 03: March 2011

Section

Original Articles

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