What is the best diagnostic test for malaria?
What is the best diagnostic test for malaria?
PCR is most useful for confirming the species of malarial parasite after the diagnosis has been established by either smear microscopy or RDT. Serology detects antibodies against malaria parasites, using either indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
What are the diagnostic tests for malaria?
Testing is performed to help diagnose malaria, to monitor for relapses, and to determine drug susceptibility of the parasite causing the infection.
- Thick and thin blood smears.
- Rapid diagnostic tests (antigen testing)
- Molecular tests (Polymerase chain reaction, PCR)
- Antibody tests (serology)
- Susceptibility testing.
What is the main diagnostic sample for malaria?
The gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria involves microscopy with visualization of Giemsa-stained parasites in a blood sample. Species determination is made based on morphological characteristics of the four species of human malaria parasites and the infected red blood cells.
What is the classic lab test for malaria?
The classic method for detection of the malaria parasite is the examination of Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears.
Can CBC test detect malaria?
This test detects parasite nucleic acids and identifies the species of malaria parasite. Complete blood count (CBC). This checks for anemia or evidence of other possible infections. Anemia sometimes develops in people with malaria, because the parasites damage red blood cells.
How is typhoid and malaria tested?
Owing to the nonspecific nature of Widal agglutination test, and cross reactivity between anti malarial antibody and antibody against Salmonella Typhi co-infection with malaria and typhoid is often detected by rapid diagnostic tests.
What is the process for checking blood sample for malaria?
Thick and thin blood smears. The technician spreads it on a glass slide and looks at it with a microscope. A thin blood smear, also called a blood film, is one drop of blood spread across most of the slide. A thick smear drops the blood on a small area. A normal test does two of each.
Does WBC increase in malaria?
WBC count in the body can vary during the different stages of malaria infection. Leucopenia (reduction in WBCs) is common during acute malaria, whereas leucocytosis (increase in WBCs) can occur during severe malaria.
What is the treatment for malaria and typhoid?
The only effective treatment for typhoid is antibiotics. The most commonly used are ciprofloxacin (for non-pregnant adults) and ceftriaxone. Other than antibiotics, it is important to rehydrate by drinking adequate water. In more severe cases, where the bowel has become perforated, surgery may be required.
What is malaria blood test called?
Rapid diagnostic test. Also called RDT or antigen testing, this is a quick option when blood draws and smears aren’t available. Blood taken from a prick on your finger is put on a test strip that changes color to show whether you have malaria or not.
What are the tests available to diagnose malaria?
Types of Tests Thick and thin blood smears. These are the most common and accurate malaria tests. Rapid diagnostic test. Also called RDT or antigen testing, this is a quick option when blood draws and smears aren’t available. Molecular test. Antibody test. Drug resistance test. Blood test.
What is the blood test for malaria?
The best test available to diagnose malaria is called a blood smear. In this test, malaria parasites can be identified by examining a drop of the patient’s blood under the microscope, spread out as a “blood smear” on a microscope slide. Prior to examination, the specimen (blood) is stained to give to the parasites a distinctive appearance.
How does the malaria antigen test work?
The malaria antigen test works by detecting antigens in the blood which are released by the parasite. The antigens are usually LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) or HRP2 (Histidine-rich protein 2). If the test is in RDT (rapid diagnostic test) format, there is an antibody against one of the parasite antigens stuck onto the test strip.
What is the differential diagnosis of malaria?
Differential diagnosis. Malaria must be distinguished from other febrile illnesses to avoid mistreatment. In malaria-endemic areas, comorbidities exist where malaria parasitaemia may be coincidentally present in patients with other acute pathology such as bacterial meningitis and hepatitis .