Comparative analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of malaria parasite by microscopy, RDTs (PfHRP-2 & PLDH) and PCR

Blood smear is considered as the gold standard test to diagnose Malaria parasite. The newer RDTs (malaria antigen) are reported to be highly sensitive, specific and time saving as compared to other diagnostic modalities. This test is undertaken to compare the efficacy of PfHRP-2 tests, PLDH and manual technique. A total of 252 cases of malaria as diagnosed by Composite reference techniquewere studied. The sensitivity of TFM, RDTs and PCR is 71.5%, 84.3% and 82.6% respectively and the specificity is 81.9%, 77.2% and 78.2% respectively.: The fact that the PCR & RDTs are costly, cannot assess the response of patients to treatment and inability to assess parasitic stage and density, makes the old dictum “Blood smears are the gold standard for the diagnosis of Malaria” to still hold truth.