ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to evaluate the Malar-CheckTM Pf test, an immunochromatographic assay that detects Plasmodium falciparum Histidine Rich Protein II, does not require equipment, and is easy and rapid to perform. In dilution assays performed to test sensitivity against known parasite density, Malar-CheckTMwere compared with thick blood smear (TBS), the gold standard for diagnosis. Palo Alto isolate or P. falciparum blood from patients with different parasitemias was used. The average cut-off points for each technique in three independent experiments were 12 and 71 parasites/mm³ (TBS and Malar-CheckTM, respectively). In the field assays, samples were collected from patients with fever who visited endemic regions. Compared to TBS, Malar-CheckTMyielded true-positive results in 38 patients, false-positive results in 3, true-negative results in 23, and false-negative result in 1. Malar-CheckTMperformed with samples from falciparum-infected patients after treatment showed persistence of antigen up to 30 days. Malar-CheckTM should aid the diagnosis of P. falciparum in remote areas and improve routine diagnosis even when microscopy is available. Previous P. falciparum infection, which can determine a false-positive test in cured individuals, should be considered. The prompt results obtained with the Malar-CheckTM for early diagnosis could avoid disease evolution to severe cases
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Immunoassay , Chromatography , Malaria, Falciparum , Plasmodium falciparum , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Brazil , Sensitivity and Specificity , Cross Reactions , Evaluation Study , False Positive Reactions , Antigens, ProtozoanABSTRACT
Este trabalho objetivou o levantamento do índice de câncer de maior número de óbitos na regiäo de Londrinano período de 1981 a 1991. O levantamento foi efetuado com base na análise de dados obtidos no Posto de Saúde da Vila Casoni, em cartório e na 17ª Regional de Saúde de Londrina. Da análise, foi concluído que o tipo de câncer que mais levou a óbitos foi o de estômago, seguido pelo câncer de mama e de colo de útero