RESUMEN
In this study we evaluate a new commercial kit for laboratory detection of plasmodium falciparum infection. Parasight F[R] [Becton Dickinson, MD-USA]is a test strip kit for the detection of the excretory-secretory antigen HRPII that is released during plasmodium falciparum infection. The survey includes 52 plasmodium falciparum infected subjects selected by thick blood smear among 133 patients [parasite prevalence = 39%]. Sensitivity and specificity of parasight-F[R] [on the basis of thick blood smear results] are respectively 69.2 and 100%. Sensitivity with subjects with parasitemia >/= 4 parasites /200 white blood cells is higher: 97.2%. the mean performing time is 6.46 +/- 1.7 minutes which is less time consuming than thick blood smear reading [29 +/- 15.5 minutes]. Parasight-F[R] is easy to perform even by a non-health professional and no laboratory equipment is needed. Parasight-F[R] can be a helpful tool for malaria control especially in areas where there is no laboratory. It can be widely used by doctors, in conjunction with other standard methods [thin and thick blood smears], as a doctor's test for the direct diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria