Comparison of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit and Microscopy

Malaria is the most common single diagnosis made in many countries in Africa. Microscopy is the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of malaria parasite, but it requires adequate training and the time to get results is longer than that for Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Use of RDTs is an alternative diagnostic method. This method is quick and easy to carry out. This study examined 412 blood samples of patients who met the study inclusion criteria from the health centres. All of the samples obtained were tested by SD Bioline malaria Ag P.f test commonly available in Nigeria and parasite count was done from thick film prepared. The results obtained were presented as a proportion positive in comparison to the total number of participants enrolled. Of the 412 enrollees, 284 were tested positive with malaria using the RDT, 400 were tested positive with microscopy and 12 were negative using microscopy and RDT. This study confirms the superior sensitivity of microscopy to RDTs in diagnosis of malaria. Although RDTs are very useful for quick diagnosis of malaria, particularly in areas where access to the use of microscopy is not available, the possibility of a low performance by RDTs in malaria diagnosis should be emphasized on health practitioners and microcopy should be encouraged as much as possible.