Identification of cryptic coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum in patients presenting with vivax malaria.

In Thailand, approximately 8% of patients treated for vivax malaria are found subsequently to have coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum. A P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP-2) dipstick test was evaluated as a predictor of mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum in a prospective study of 238 patients admitted to the hospital with acute vivax malaria. Of these, 23 (10%) had subsequent development of falciparum malaria without reexposure. Patients with cryptic P. falciparum infection had a significantly lower mean (standard deviation) hematocrit than those with P. vivax alone: 29.6 (7.6%) versus 37.2 (6.4%) (P < 0.0001). Using microscopic appearance of P. falciparum after the start of treatment as the reference standard, the PfHRP-2 test was 74% sensitive and 99% specific in predicting mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum parasitemia at presentation. The PfHRP-2 dipstick test may be a useful adjunct to microscopy in areas where mixed infections are common.     

Performance of the OptiMAL assay for detection and identification of malaria infections in asymptomatic residents of Irian Jaya, Indonesia

The OptiMAL assay, a new immunochromatographic "dipstick" test for malaria based on detection of Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), is purported to detect infections of approximately 200 parasites/microL of blood and to differentiate between Plasmodium falciparum and non-P. falciparum. We evaluated OptiMAL performance by comparing the test strip interpretations of two independent readers with consensus results obtained independently by expert malaria microscopists. Unbiased measures of sensitivity were derived by applying the OptiMAL test for detection and differentiation of light, asymptomatic infections by P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. OptiMAL readings were separated in time to determine whether the reaction signal was stable. Microscopy identified infections in 225 of 505 individuals screened; those with P. falciparum (n = 170) averaged 354 asexual forms/microL and P. vivax/Plasmodium malariae (n = 112) averaged 216 asexual forms/microL of blood. Concordance between OptiMAL and microscopy was 81% and 78% by the two independent readings. The assay's sensitivity for detection of any malaria species was 60.4% and 70.2% respectively and specificity was 97% and 89%. Most cases identified by microscopy as P. falciparum were graded as negative or non-falciparum by both OptiMAL readers. OptiMAL false negatives as well as misidentifications were related to low parasitemias (< 500/microL). The OptiMAL assay demonstrated 88-92% sensitivity for detecting infections of 500-1,000 parasites/microL, a range covering the mean parasitemia of primary symptomatic P. falciparum infections in malaria-na?ve Indonesian transmigrants. This device was markedly less sensitive than expert microscopy for discriminating between malaria species and is presently unsuited for use as an epidemiological screening tool. The OptiMAL assay is not approved for diagnostic use but is commercially available for research purposes only.     

Identification of human malaria parasites and detection of mixed infection in Thai patients by nested PCR

The species-specific nested PCR previously described by Snounou and others, for detecting the four species of human malaria parasites, is evaluated in the current study testing 40 blood samples from malaria patients admitted during July-September, 2003, at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand. Parasite DNA of each blood sample was extracted and purified by QIAamp. DNA mini kit. Nested PCR was performed using genus-specific primers for the first PCR cycle and species-specific primer for the second cycle. Thin and thick smears were also made, stained with Giemsa, and examined by expert microscopists. Only one of 40 samples (2.5%) was identified as Plasmodium malariae infection by both microscopy and nested PCR. Twenty blood samples (50%) were identified as Plasmodium falciparum infections by both methods. However, 19 blood samples (47.5%) were reported as Plasmodium vivax infections by microscopic methods, whereas nested PCR could detect a mixed infection of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum in one sample taken from a young girl with 8 ameboid trophozoites of P. vivax per 200 white blood cells. These results demonstrated that the nested PCR assay surpasses microscopy and also offers a clear advantage in the detection of mixed infections, which is important not only for successful medical treatment, but also for the study of malaria epidemiology.     

人体疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶基因多态性及B细胞表位预测

目的　分析4种人体疟原虫乳酸脱氢酶（Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase, pLDH）基因多态性并预测pLDH 肽链B细胞抗原表位。方法　收集传染病报告信息管理系统中登记的云南省疟疾病例血样和流行病学等信息。采用巢式PCR技术扩增4种人体疟原虫pLDH基因并测序,应用MEGA 7.0.26和DnaSP 5.10软件分析4种人体疟原虫pLDH基因DNA序列多态性,并采用免疫表位数据库（IEDB）预测pLDH 肽链B细胞抗原表位。结果　分别从153份间日疟、29份恶性疟、17份卵形疟和11份三日疟患者血样中获得间日疟原虫LDH（PvLDH）、恶性疟原虫LDH（PfLDH）、卵形疟原虫LDH（PoLDH）、三日疟原虫LDH（PmLDH）基因测序序列,分别定义15、2、4、2种单倍型,核苷酸多样性指数（π）为0.104。PoLDH基因种内分化程度较高,π为0.012;PvLDH、PfLDH和PmLDH基因π值均 < 0.001。4种人体疟原虫pLDH肽链可预测到4～5个/链的B细胞抗原活性区,活性得分约0.430;其中活性区短肽“86⁃PGKSDKEWNRD⁃96”为4种人体疟原虫共有的B细胞抗原表位,“266⁃GQYGHS(T)⁃271”仅出现在PvLDH和PoLDH肽链,PvLDH、PfLDH肽链特有的B细胞抗原表位分别是“212⁃EEVEGIFDR⁃220”和“208⁃LISDAE⁃213”。结论　PoLDH基因多态性可能来自微弱的负向纯化选择,PvLDH、PfLDH、PmLDH基因则可能维持了相对保守状态。pLDH肽链近C端可能存在可区分间日疟、恶性疟原虫感染的B细胞抗原表位“212⁃EEVEGIFDR⁃220”和“208⁃LISDAE⁃213”。     

套式PCR扩增SSU rDNA特定片段检测云南金平县疟原虫感染的研究

目的　采用套式 PCR系统诊断、鉴别人体疟原虫感染。　方法　采用已建立的套式 PCR系统扩增 SSU r DNA特定片段检测云南金平县恶性疟镜检阳性患者的 6份血样 ,并设阳性与阴性对照。　结果　间日疟原虫、恶性疟原虫和三日疟原虫感染血样中分别扩增出 10 4 bp、10 2 bp和 115 bp预期大小的特定扩增带。正常人血、人源弓形虫、杜氏利什曼原虫 DNA及灭菌双蒸水均未产生特异扩增带。 6份血样中检出 4份 P.v.、P.f.和 P.m.的混合感染 ,1份 P.v.和 P.f .及 1份 P.f .和 P.m.的混合感染。　结论　该系统特异、灵敏、稳定 ,在诊断疟疾的同时可准确地判定混合感染 ,对疟疾的诊断、大规模流行病学研究及疫情监控等具有实际应用价值。     

Fatal malaria infection in travelers: novel immunohistochemical assays for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in tissues and implications for pathogenesis

Plasmodium falciparum is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in travelers to areas where the parasite is endemic. Non-specific clinical manifestations may result in failure to recognize malaria until autopsy, when it is often too late to obtain whole blood for microscopic evaluation. The use of immunohistochemical (IHC) assays in the detection of three P. falciparum antigens, histidine rich protein-2 (HRP-2), aldolase, and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), was evaluated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues from five travelers to malaria-endemic areas, whose deaths were initially suspected to have been caused by other bacterial or viral hemorrhagic fevers. The HRP-2 assay was specific for P. falciparum, whereas the aldolase and pLDH assays also reacted with P. vivax. Immunostaining patterns were predominately cytoplasmic and membranous. P. falciparum antigens were detected in a variety of organs but were most abundant in the blood vessels of brain, heart, and lung tissues.     

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum in Kohat District, Pakistan

Malaria is one of the serious diseases threatening human health in Pakistan and contributes to a large proportion of the total malaria deaths in South Asia. However, little is known about the nature and extent of genetic diversity of the malarial parasites circulating in Pakistan. This study was designed to assess the infection status of Plasmodium and the genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum by analyzing msp-3α, msp-3β and msp-1, msp-2 genes respectively using allele specific nested PCR and RFLP assays. For this purpose, 130 field isolates were collected from the individuals who exhibited clinical symptoms associated with malaria in the Kohat region of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Among 130 blood samples collected, P. vivax was detected in 105/130 (80.8%) and P. falciparum in 21/130 (16.2%). Mixed infections with both parasites were detected in 4/130 (3%) of the isolates. A large number of distinguishable alleles were found for msp genetic markers: 10 alleles for msp-3α and seven for msp-3β with one mixed infection in case of msp-3β. The genotyping of P. falciparum showed that K1+MAD20 mixed genotype was dominant in msp-1 and FC27 in msp-2. The results collectively suggest that P. vivax and P. falciparum populations in this region are highly polymorphic and mixed infections are prevalent.     

Evaluation of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the diagnosis of malaria in patients from Thailand

We compared the diagnosis of malaria in 297 patients from Thailand by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using the LightCycler with conventional microscopy using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. The PCR assay can be completed in one hour and has the potential to detect and identify four species of Plasmodium in a single reaction by use of melting temperature curve analysis (however, we did not detect Plasmodium ovale in this study). Blood was collected, stored, and transported on IsoCode STIX, which provide a stable matrix for the archiving and rapid simple extraction of DNA. A genus-specific primer set corresponding to the 18S ribosomal RNA was used to amplify the target sequence. Fluorescence resonance energy technology hybridization probes were designed for P. falciparum over a region containing basepair mismatches, which allowed differentiation of the other Plasmodium species. The PCR results correlated with the microscopic results in 282 (95%) of 297 patient specimens. Most of these were single-species infections caused by P. vivax (150) and P. falciparum (120), along with 5 P. malariae, 2 mixed infections (P. falciparum and P. vivax), and 5 negative specimens. No negative microscopy specimens were positive by PCR (100% specificity for detection of any Plasmodium). The 15 discrepant results could not be resolved, but given the subjective nature of microscopy and the analytical objectivity of the PCR, the PCR results may be correct. The ability of the PCR method to detect mixed infections or to detect P. ovale could not be determined in this study. Within the limitations of initial equipment costs, this real-time PCR assay is a rapid, accurate, and efficient method for the specific diagnosis of malaria. It may have application in clinical laboratories, as well as in epidemiologic studies and antimalarial efficacy trials.     

Evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test specific for Plasmodium vivax

Plasmodium vivax is the only human malaria indigenous to the Republic of Korea (ROK). A rapid and sensitive diagnostic test (RDT) that detects P. vivax is appropriate for evaluating suspected malaria patients with no travel history abroad. The RDTs, SD Malaria Antigen P.v (SD diagnostic, Kyonggi, ROK) specific for P. vivax and the well documented OptiMAL (DiaMed, Cressier, Switzerland) were compared among 282 volunteers for specificity and sensitivity of P. vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections against Giemsa-stained blood smears read by an experienced microscopist. A total of 137 volunteers were diagnosed with P. vivax, 45 cases (returned travellers from overseas) were diagnosed with P. falciparum and 100 healthy volunteers were diagnosed as negative for malaria. Correspondingly, the SD Malaria Antigen P.v test identified P. vivax infections in 128/137 malaria patients (93.4%) and 0/100 (0%) healthy volunteers. Three patients identified with P. falciparum also were interpreted as P. vivax by the SD Malaria Antigen P.v test; however, these patients were later confirmed as mixed infections of P. vivax and P. falciparum by polymerase chain reaction. OptiMAL interpreted the three mixed infections only as P. falciparum and detected 130/137 (94.9%) patients with P. vivax. The sensitivity of the SD Malaria Antigen P.v test decreased from 100% (>5000 parasite/microl) to 81.3% (1-100 parasites/microl) as parasitaemia levels declined. For the regions where P. vivax is the primary malaria parasite, the SD P. vivax-specific rapid diagnostic test may be useful for screening suspected malaria patients when sufficient material and human resources (e.g. trained microscopists) are unavailable for malaria diagnosis.     

Malaria epidemiology in low-endemicity areas of the Atlantic Forest in the Vale do Ribeira, São Paulo, Brazil

We describe a seroepidemiological survey of malaria prevalence in two areas of low endemicity: Intervales State Park and Alto Ribeira State Tourist Park (PETAR). Both are located in the Vale do Ribeira in the state of S?o Paulo, Brazil. In this study, 318 subjects from both areas had their blood analyzed for the presence of malaria parasites by thin and thick blood smears. One hundred and sixty-three (51.2%) of the subjects were from Intervales State Park and 155 (48.7%) were from PETAR. We analyzed all the samples by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) to detect antibodies against asexual forms of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae and enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of antibodies against circumsporozoite proteins (CSP) from P. vivax VK210, human P. vivax-like/Plasmodium simiovale, P. vivax VK247 and Plasmodium brasilianum/P. malariae. The presence of Plasmodium species was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighteen of the subjects analyzed had positive IFA results for IgM against P. malariae antigens, and three others were positive for P. vivax antigens. Positivity of IgG antibodies against P. vivax detected by IFA was high in samples from both Intervales State Park and PETAR (32.0% and 49.0%, respectively), while positivity for P. malariae was lower (16.0% and 19.3% in Intervales State Park and PETAR, respectively). ELISA tests showed a higher prevalence of antibodies against P. vivax VK210 (35.0%) in samples from Intervales State Park and against human P. vivax-like (29.7%) in samples from PETAR. PCR reactions revealed the presence of parasites in several of the samples analyzed. In Intervales State Park, one subject was infected by P. malariae and two by Plasmodium falciparum, while in PETAR, one subject was positive for P. falciparum and three for both P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites. The areas where these parks are located belong to the Atlantic Forest habitat, and inhabitants frequently, see monkeys. Our data suggest that monkeys may constitute a natural reservoir for malaria in both areas.     

Application of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for detection and discrimination of malaria parasite species in Thai patients

A TaqMan real-time PCR system was used to detect and discriminate the 4 species of human malaria parasites in clinical blood samples. A 150-base pair (bp) region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of each malaria parasite, including species-specific sequences to be detected by TaqMan probe, was used as a target for PCR analysis. The PCR method used universal primers and species-specific TaqMan probes for Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. The detection threshold for the method, as determined with serial dilution of cultured P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, was 5 parasite-infected erythrocytes per reaction. Fifty blood samples of falciparum malaria and a second set of 50 samples of vivax malaria, diagnosed by microscopic examination at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mahidol University, Thailand, were analyzed by real-time PCR. In the 50 samples of microscopically-diagnosed falciparum malaria, 40 were regarded as P. falciparum single infection, 7 were P. falciparum and P. vivax mixed infections, and 3 were P. vivax single infection by real-time PCR. In the second set of 50 samples of microscopically diagnosed vivax malaria, all were considered P. vivax single infection by PCR. Neither P. ovale nor P. malariae infection was identified in the 100 blood samples. Real-time PCR analysis was shown to be more sensitive and accurate than routine diagnostic methods. Application and extension of the PCR method reported here will provide a powerful tool for further studies of malaria.     

套式PCR扩增特定SSU rRNA基因片段检测四川疟原虫感染的研究

目的用套式PCR系统诊断、鉴别人体疟原虫感染。方法以疟原虫小亚单位核糖体核糖核酸（SSUrRNA）基因为靶基因,选用1对疟原虫属特异性引物和4对种特异性引物,建立套式PCR扩增系统并用于四川省疟疾病人血样的检测。结果从间日疟原虫、恶性疟原虫和三日疟原虫感染血样中分别扩增出104bp、102bp和115bp预期大小的特定扩增带。61份血样检测结果与镜检的间日疟阳性符合率为100％。并查出镜检漏诊的2例P.v.和P.m.的混合感染及1例P.v.、P.f.和P.m.的混合感染病例。结论本系统特异、灵敏、稳定、简便,可在诊断疟疾的同时判定混合感染,故对疟疾的诊断、大规模流行病学研究及疫情监控有实际应用价值。     

Field trial of the RTM dipstick method for the rapid diagnosis of malaria based on the detection of Plasmodium falciparum HRP-2 antigen in whole blood

The performance of the Quorum RapidTest Malaria (RTM) dipstick method that detects Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 (PfHRP-2) antigen in whole blood was evaluated in a malaria endemic area. Results were compared with conventional Giemsa-stained blood films. Of 306 people tested 37.9% (116/306) were found to be parasitaemic; of these 66.4% (77/116) were P. vivax and 32.8% (38/116) were P. falciparum infections. There was only one (0.9%) mixed P. falciparum plus P. vivax infection.The RTM test was positive in 35/36 patients with P. falciparum identified on blood smear examination, resulting in a sensitivity of 97.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 91.6-102.8%]. Specificity was 96.3% (95% CI: 93.9-98.6%).The RTM test had a positive predictive value of 77.8% (95% CI: 65.7-89.9%) and a negative predictive value of 99.6% (95% CI: 98.4-100.8%). Of the 10 false positives, seven reported recent malaria episode and treatment, indicating persistence of antigenaemia. If these were assumed truly infected, the positive predictive value is increased to 93.3% (95% CI: 85.8-100.8%).The RTM test was positive in all seven P. falciparum infections with gametocytes and one mixed infection, but was negative in all falciparum gametocytes and relapsing fever cases. All but one P. vivax infection gave negative result on the RTM test.The RTM test missed one patient with parasitaemia. The test is highly sensitive and specific requiring no instrument or trained personnel. It appears to be a very useful tool for rapid diagnosis of malaria, especially in the rural health institutions with limited diagnostic facilities.     

Rapid immunochromatography-based detection of mixed-species malaria infection in Pakistan

We report the identification of mixed Plasmodium infections in four recent patients with malaria clinically refractory to empiric chloroquine therapy using the rapid antigen detection kit, NOW ICT Malaria Pf/Pv. A rapid in vitro immunodiagnostic test, the NOW ICT Malaria Pf/Pv test kit was used for the detection of circulating Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Plasmodium vivax (Pv) antigens in whole blood. Peripheral blood microscopy confirmed mixed-species infection in all the cases. Thick and thin peripheral blood films were made and stained with Giemsa stain and examined by both hospital laboratory staff and an experienced parasitologist who was blinded to the results of the rapid malarial antigen tests. Four recent patients (all male; mean age, 24 years) with mixed malarial infection were identified. All the subjects were males working for an oil company in a coastal area of Pakistan, and all had been diagnosed presumptively with malaria based on clinical grounds (without microbiologic confirmation), and were treated empirically with chloroquine without clinical response. Semiquantitative malaria counts via microscopy were as follows: P. vivax, scanty (2 patients) and moderate (2 patients); for P. falciparum--scanty (1 patient), moderate (2 patients), and heavy (1 patient). The present case series, although limited by the small number of patients with proven mixed P. falciparum-P. vivax infection, highlights the usefulness of the rapid antigen test in a highly malarious region of Pakistan where chloroquine resistance is prevalent. Although there was full concordance between the results of blood smear microscopy and rapid antigen testing, these techniques are potentially most useful when there is a discrepancy with microscopy findings. Accurate and rapid diagnosis of parasites, particularly in cases of mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax infection, is of immense importance for individual patient management and in reducing the burden of disease, especially in regions of chloroquine resistance.     

Use of a rapid,single-round,multiplex PCR to detect malarial parasites and identify the species present

A new, rapid assay, based on a single-round, multiplex PCR, can be used to detect Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae or P. ovale in human blood. The PCR, which targets the conserved 18S small-subunit RNA genes of the parasites, not only permits a malarial infection to be detected but also allows each Plasmodium species present to be identified, even in cases of mixed infection.     

Two-site pan-species monoclonal antibody ELISA for detection of blood stage malaria antigen.

A two-site pan-species monoclonal antibody sandwich ELISA (MAb-MAb ELISA) was developed to detect both Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum antigens in whole blood impregnated on filter paper. In this assay, the plates were coated with pan-species MAb 3F9 and another pan-species MAb M26-32 conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was used for detection of bound antigen. The sensitivity of this assay was 5, 10 and 10 parasites per 10(6) erythrocytes for cultured P. falciparum, patient-derived P. vivax and P. falciparum, respectively. The coincidence rates for this assay were 93% (92/99) with healthy individuals and 93% (42/45) with microscopically confirmed vivax malaria cases. After two weeks treatment, 77.7% (14/18) of vivax malaria were still positive by this assay but with diminished level of reactivities [corrected].     

2010-2016年溧阳市消除疟疾监测效果评价

目的 评价溧阳市消除疟疾监测效果,为制定消除疟疾防控策略和措施提供依据。方法 收集2010-2016年溧阳市疟疾疫情、发热病人血检和疟疾病例个案流行病学调查表等监测资料,采用描述性流行病学方法进行分析。结果 2010-2016年共报告疟疾病例67例,血检发热病人39 196 人次,镜检检出阳性65例,阳性率为0.17%。另有2例镜检阴性病例为出现发热症状后自行服用抗疟药,镜检未查见疟原虫,但疟疾快速诊断试剂盒（RDTs）检测显示阳性。67例疟疾病例中,恶性疟49例、卵形疟13例、间日疟5例。67例病例均为境外输入性疟疾病例,来自非洲的病例占94.03%（63/67）。67例病例中,男性占97.01%（65/67）,30 ~ 49岁占73.13%（49/67）,农民占病例数的80.60%（54/67）。全市10个镇均有病例分布,发病时间无明显季节特征。病例报告及时率、血片复核及时率、规范治疗率、流行病学个案调查率、疫点调查与处置率均达100%。主动病例侦查18 076人,未查见疟原虫阳性携带者。采用诱蚊灯法和人饵半通宵诱捕法进行蚊媒监测,分别捕获按蚊187只和78只,均为中华按蚊。2012-2016年溧阳市疾病预防控制中心门诊采用镜检与RDTs检测,共检测88人次,镜检查出疟原虫阳性35人次,其中恶性疟28人次、卵形疟7人次,恶性疟和卵形疟镜检阳性率差异无统计学意义（校正[χ2] = 0.05,P > 0.05）;RDTs检测阳性为34例,其中恶性疟14例,恶性疟或混合感染其他3种疟疾17例,恶性疟以外3种疟疾单一或混合感染3例,RDTs检测阳性率差异有统计学意义（校正[χ2] = 13.75,P < 0.05）。结论 溧阳市境外输入性疟疾病例仍有再传播风险,今后还需加强疟疾监测工作,强化传染源管理,巩固消除疟疾成果。     

Evaluation of quantitative buffy coat (QBC) assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of malaria

A prospective study was undertaken to compare the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) assay with conventional Giemsa technique for diagnosis of malaria. A total of 104 samples were taken for the purpose. They comprised of fever cases suggestive of malaria (n=74) and control group, fever cases other than malaria (n=30). Peripheral blood smears were prepared by Giemsa staining and QBC assay was performed as per standard protocol. From the stored blood samples, parasite DNA was extracted and PCR was performed using P. falciparum and P. vivax specific sets of primers. The QBC assay was 100% in agreement with the Giemsa stain. Specificity of the PCR detection of P. falciparum parasites was 100%. However, sensitivity for detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax by PCR was 64.28% and 82.35% respectively. In mixed cases of malaria (n=2), PCR results were in 100% agreement with that of Giemsa. The lower sensitivity of PCR for P. falciparum could probably be due to inaccessibility of target DNA, presence of PCR inhibitors in samples and parasite strain variations.     

Sensitivity and specificity of an antigen detection ELISA for malaria diagnosis

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) allow for the testing of large numbers of samples within a short time frame. We tested the sensitivity and specificity of a histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2)-based, commercially available ELISA antigen detection assay for Plasmodium falciparum (Malaria Antigen CELISA; Cellabs, Sydney, Australia). A total of 700 whole blood samples obtained from symptomatic outpatients of malaria clinics along the Thai-Myanmar border were tested relative to blinded duplicate expert microscopy adjusted with species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR-adjusted microscopy showed that 79 (11.3%) were infected with P. falciparum, 118 (16.9%) with P. vivax, 1 (0.1%) with P. malariae, 7 (1.0%) with mixed infections (P. falciparum and P. vivax), and 495 (70.7%) were negative. The geometric mean parasite density for P. falciparum was 7547/muL (range: 12-363,810/muL). The overall sensitivity of the HRP2 ELISA for P. falciparum malaria was 98.8% (95% CI, 93.6-100%) and the specificity was 100% (95% CI, 99.5-100%). The positive and negative predictive values for the ELISA were 100% (95% CI, 96.5-100%) and 99.8% (95% CI, 99.1-100%), respectively. The results for P. falciparum were clearly superior to expert microscopy alone, particularly in mixed infections. Microscopy combined with ELISA reaches a sensitivity and specificity similar to PCR-adjusted microscopy for the diagnosis of P. falciparum while being considerably less expensive and faster. We conclude that ELISA serves as an excellent tool to augment microscopy as the gold standard for P. falciparum diagnosis in research settings and should be further evaluated for screening in blood banks.