Malaria surveillance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: comparison of microscopy, PCR, and rapid diagnostic test

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2016 May;85(1):16-8. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.01.004. Epub 2016 Jan 9.

Abstract

Malaria surveillance is critical for control efforts, but diagnostic methods frequently disagree. Here, we compare microscopy, PCR, and a rapid diagnostic test in 7137 samples from children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo using latent class analysis. PCR had the highest sensitivity (94.6%) and microscopy had the lowest (76.7%).

Keywords: Diagnostics; Latent class analysis; Malaria; Microscopy; PCR; RDT; Rapid diagnostic test; Surveillance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo / epidemiology
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / standards
  • Humans
  • Malaria / diagnosis*
  • Malaria / epidemiology
  • Malaria / parasitology*
  • Microscopy
  • Plasmodium malariae / classification*
  • Plasmodium malariae / cytology
  • Plasmodium malariae / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Sensitivity and Specificity