ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: A positive finding on a peripheral blood smear is the gold standard for the diagnosis of malaria. However, even for an expert microscopist, this test is a laborious and time consuming procedure. Therefore, it is crucial to have available a rapid and simple test that can be used in an emergency department environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a rapid diagnostic kit for vivax malaria antigen and antibody among febrile patients visiting a local emergency medical center. METHODS: Peripheral blood smears, and malaria antigen and antibody tests were evaluated for 593 patients with fever and other commonly associated symptoms of malaria who visited our local emergency medical center between August 2008 and December 2009. RESULTS: Sixty nine cases of vivax malaria were confirmed by peripheral blood smear. Sensitivities of malaria antigen and antibody in patients of malaria were, respectively, 94.20% (65/69) and 76.81% (53/69); specificities were 100% (524/524) and 99.24% (520/524). CONCLUSION: Considering rapidity, high sensitivity and specificity, the rapid malaria antigen test is useful as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for detection of malaria infection in an emergency department environment.