Self-testing for falciparum malaria with antigen-capture cards by travelers with symptoms of malaria

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 63; no. 5; pp. 295 - 297
• Main Authors: Whitty, CJM, Armstrong, M, Behrens, RH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence, KS ASTMH 01.11.2000; Allen Press
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antigens, Protozoan - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnostic Tests, Routine - instrumentation; Diagnostic Tests, Routine - standards; Female; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Malaria; Malaria, Falciparum - diagnosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Parasitic diseases; Plasmodium falciparum - immunology; Predictive Value of Tests; Protozoal diseases; Self Administration; Sensitivity and Specificity; Travel; Parasitological investigation; Human; Protozoa; Apicomplexa; Protozoal disease; Malaria; Parasitosis; Blood; Infection; Antigen; Plasmodium falciparum; Symptomatology; Sensitivity; Specificity; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2000.63.295

Kits for self-diagnosis of malaria by travelers in remote areas have been advocated. Antigen-capture test cards work reliably in the laboratory, but there is limited data regarding self-testing by ill patients. One hundred and fifty-three symptomatic patients presenting for a malaria test attempted self-diagnosis using these kits. Nine percent failed to perform a valid test. Against blood-film proven malaria, specificity was 97% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 93-99%) and sensitivity 95% (95% CI 74-99%). Although these results are encouraging, technical problems need to be addressed and test sensitivity proven by additional field-testing before this technology can be marketed to travelers.