Evaluationof ParaSight F Test in Dignosis of Plasmodium Falciparum Infection.

ABSTRACT

P. falciparum malaria is a severe form of disease which requires urgent diagnosis and treatment to save the life of patient. Blood smear examination is the commonest method used for diagnosis. The present study was done to evaluate ParaSight F test in patients of P. falciparum infection.The study was performed on 100 patients who where clinically diagnosed as cases of P. falciparum infection. ParaSight F test and Leishman stained blood smear examination was done in all 100 patients (50 patients of cerebral malaria + 50 patients of acute malaria).ParaSight F test was positive in 45 patients and blood smear positive in 28 patients of cerebral malaria. 35 patients of acute malaria were positive by ParaSight F test while blood smear was positive in 15 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of ParaSight F test are 95.7%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 60% in cerebral malaria and 100% each in acute malaria. ParaSight F test can be used as diagnostic tool in cases of P. falciparum infections, where blood smear is negative.