Cephalometric assessment of Colombia's mestizo population aged 6 to 12 years / Evaluación cefalométrica de la población mestiza colombiana entre 6 a 12 años

ABSTRACT Introduction: over the years, populations have been studied by means of lateral cephalic x-rays in a variety of ethnicities, ages, and study types, setting standards for different groups. In Latin America, studies show cephalometric differences from standards based on Caucasian populations. Method: 1,627 cases of patients without prior treatment were analyzed; the sample included 855 males and 772 females aged 6 to 12 years. Lateral cephalic radiographs and specific tracing were taken. Descriptive analysis was done using mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum. Comparisons were made between male and female subjects and by age. Results: a greater size was found in all measurements in male subjects, being statistically significant in some measurements and ages. The ages with the most differences were 8 and 9 years, and the least difference occurred at the age of 10. Conclusion: there was variation in maxillary and mandibular size with age and gender, with the largest size in males and indications of vertical predominance.

RESUMEN Introducción: a través de los años se han estudiado poblaciones por medio de radiografías cefálicas laterales, en variedad de etnias, edades y tipos de estudio, lo que ha permitido establecer estándares para diferentes grupos. En Latinoamérica, los estudios demuestran diferencias cefalométricas respecto a las normas basadas en poblaciones caucásicas. Método: se analizaron 1.627 casos de pacientes sin tratamiento previo, 855 hombres y 772 mujeres entre 6 y 12 años. Se tomó radiografía cefálica lateral y un trazado específico. Se realizó análisis descriptivo utilizando media, desviación estándar, mínimo y máximo. Se hizo comparación entre los sujetos masculinos y femeninos y por edades. Resultados: se encontró mayor tamaño en todas las medidas en hombres, siendo estadísticamente significativas en algunas medidas y edades. La edad que mayor diferencia presenta es a los 8 y 9 años, y la de menor diferencia es a los 10 años. Conclusión: se presentó variación en el tamaño maxilar y mandibular con la edad y el género, con mayor tamaño en los hombres y con características de manifestaciones de predominio vertical.

Evaluación radiográfica de la estabilidad en medidas cefalométricas de pacientes Clase III sometidos a cirugía ortognática bimaxilar / Radiographic evaluation of stability in cephalometric measurements of Class III patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery

Objetivo: evaluar, a través de medidas cefalométricas de los planos sagital y vertical, la estabilidad de pacientes con maloclusión clase III sometidos a cirugía ortognática bimaxilar. Métodos: se aplicó estudio longitudinal en 20 pacientes (11 mujeres), en un promedio de edad de 22.5 años y con diagnóstico de hipoplasia del tercio medio facial y prognatismo mandibular, tratados con ortodoncia y cirugía ortognática bimaxilar. Se realizaron tres radiografías cefálicas laterales por cada paciente: la primera, previa al procedimiento quirúrgico (T1), otra a los 8 meses posquirúrgicos (T2) y la tercera, a los 18 meses posquirúrgicos (T3). Posteriormente, se evaluaron los cambios en el plano X y Y en los tres tiempos realizando las pruebas estadísticas pertinentes con el fin de observar diferencias. Resultados: se encontraron medidas más estables en el maxilar superior en sentido vertical y sagital, y se observó que la mandíbula es menos estable a los movimientos quirúrgicos, principalmente en sentido vertical (diferencias estadís-ticamente significativas p<0.05). Conclusión: la cirugía ortognática bimaxilar en casos de clase III es muy estable (especialmente en el maxilar); dicha estabilidad fue definida solamente con medidas cefalométricas, sin tener en cuenta variables como la función o las características clínicas de los pacientes.

Objective: To evaluate cephalometric stability in the sagittal and vertical planes of class III malocclusion patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery Class III skeletal malocclusion is reported as the most frequently dentofacial alteration treated in combination with orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. It is important to evaluate the stability or relapse of the surgical treatment performed on these patients. Methods: A longitudinal study were conducted in 20 patients (11 women), with an average of 22.5 years old, diagnosis of hypoplasia of the facial middle third and mandibular prognathism, treated with orthodontics and bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Three lateral cephalic radiographs were taken for each patient: one prior to the surgical procedure (T1), another at 8 post-surgical months (T2) and finally at 18 post-surgical months (T3). The changes on the X and Y planes were evaluated the same three times, performing the relevant statistical tests in order to observe differences. Results: More stable measurements were found in the upper jaw in the vertical and sagittal direction, while the mandible is less stable to surgical movements, mainly in the vertical direction (statistically significant differences p<0.05). Conclusion: bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in class III malocclusion is very stable (especially in the maxilla). It is important to keep in mind the maxillary biomechanics in order to offer an accurate treatment to these patients. Further studies are required in order to investigate possible associated predictor factors.

Caracterización matemática de dinámicas cardiacas neonatales normales a partir de la teoría de la probabilidad / Mathematical Characterization of Normal Neonatal Cardiac Dynamics Based on Probability Theory

Introducción: la dinámica cardiaca se ha evaluado desde teorías físico' matemáticas como la probabilidad y los sistemas dinámicos, lo que ha permitido desarrollar diagnósticos y predicciones de aplicación clínica. Objetivo: medir la probabilidad de distribuciones de frecuencias cardiacas (FC) neonatales normales, para hacer una caracterización matemática, objetiva y reproducible. Metodología: se analizaron diez dinámicas normales mediante registros continuos y holters, tomando los máximos y mínimos de FC por hora durante 21 horas. Se generaron rangos de 5 latmin, y se estableció cuántas frecuencias pertenecen a cada rango. Se analizaron las distribuciones obtenidas en el espacio de probabilidades para las frecuencias cardiacas, en busca de características matemáticas de normalidad para la dinámica cardiaca neonatal. Resultados: las probabilidades de los rangos evaluados variaron entre 0,02272 y 0,2826-, y en tres de los rangos, todas las dinámicas presentaron probabilidad mínima o cero. Conclusiones: se desarrolló una caracterización general de la dinámica cardiaca neonatal normal, objetiva y reproducible.

Background: Cardiac dynamics have been evaluated from physicah mathematical theories like probability and dynamícal Systems, allowing to developing diagnosis and dinical application predictions. Objective: To measure the probability of normal neonatal heart rates distribution, for doing a mathematical characterization, objective and reproducible. Methods: It have been analyzed 10 normal dynamics through continuous records and holters, taking máximum and mínimum valúes of heart rates per hour during 21 hours. Ranges of 5 beats/min were generated; obtained distributions in probability space for heart rates were analyzed, to search normality mathematical characteristics for neonatal cardiac dynamics. Results: The probabilities of the evaluated ranges varied between 0.02272 and 0.2826; also, in three of the ranges, all the dynamics showed a minimum probability or zero. Condusions: A general characterization, objective and reproductible, of normal neonatal cardiac dynamics, was developed.

[Characterization of the national malaria diagnostic network, Colombia, 2006-2010]. / Caracterización de la Red Nacional de Diagnóstico de Malaria, Colombia, 2006-2010.

INTRODUCTION: The implementation and development of activities of the quality assurance system of malaria diagnosis, allows the adequate operation of the national diagnostic network, needed to strengthen prevention and control actions of this important public health problem. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the malaria diagnosis network in Colombia between 2006 and 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made by reviewing the annual reports of malaria diagnosis network activities that were sent by the Public Health Laboratories (PHL) between 2006 and 2010. The study included analysis of diagnostic coverage in population at risk and an evaluation of activities and training to the people responsible for malaria diagnosis. RESULTS: Malaria diagnostic coverage has increased in Colombia, from 53% of municipalities covered in 2006 to 80% in 2010. The number of places that perform diagnosis increased by 31% with a significant increase, for the same period, of the number of microscopists (56%) and laboratories (30%), to 1,195 and 1,780 respectively, registered in 2010. During the period of study, the percentage of PHL that carried out at least 3 of the activities of the quality assurance system for the diagnostic network at local level was 67%. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to continue strengthening the malaria diagnosis network to provide timely and adequate diagnosis in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality by malaria.

New surfactant with SP-B and C analogs gives survival benefit after inactivation in preterm lambs.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome in preterm babies is caused by a pulmonary surfactant deficiency, but also by its inactivation due to various conditions, including plasma protein leakage. Surfactant replacement therapy is well established, but clinical observations and in vitro experiments suggested that its efficacy may be impaired by inactivation. A new synthetic surfactant (CHF 5633), containing synthetic surfactant protein B and C analogs, has shown comparable effects on oxygenation in ventilated preterm rabbits versus Poractant alfa, but superior resistance against inactivation in vitro. We hypothesized that CHF 5633 is also resistant to inactivation by serum albumin in vivo. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Nineteen preterm lambs of 127 days gestational age (term = 150 days) received CHF 5633 or Poractant alfa and were ventilated for 48 hours. Ninety minutes after birth, the animals received albumin with CHF 5633 or Poractant alfa. Animals received additional surfactant if P(a)O(2) dropped below 100 mmHg. A pressure volume curve was done post mortem and markers of pulmonary inflammation, surfactant content and biophysiology, and lung histology were assessed. CHF 5633 treatment resulted in improved arterial pH, oxygenation and ventilation efficiency index. The survival rate was significantly higher after CHF 5633 treatment (5/7) than after Poractant alfa (1/8) after 48 hours of ventilation. Biophysical examination of the surfactant recovered from bronchoalveolar lavages revealed that films formed by CHF 5633-treated animals reached low surface tensions in a wider range of compression rates than films from Poractant alfa-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time a synthetic surfactant containing both surfactant protein B and C analogs showed significant benefit over animal derived surfactant in an in vivo model of surfactant inactivation in premature lambs.

Exposure to polymers reverses inhibition of pulmonary surfactant by serum, meconium, or cholesterol in the captive bubble surfactometer.

Dysfunction of pulmonary surfactant in the lungs is associated with respiratory pathologies such as acute respiratory distress syndrome or meconium aspiration syndrome. Serum, cholesterol, and meconium have been described as inhibitory agents of surfactant's interfacial activity once these substances appear in alveolar spaces during lung injury and inflammation. The deleterious action of these agents has been only partly evaluated under physiologically relevant conditions. We have optimized a protocol to assess surfactant inhibition by serum, cholesterol, or meconium in the captive bubble surfactometer. Specific measures of surface activity before and after native surfactant was exposed to inhibitors included i), film formation, ii), readsorption of material from surface-associated reservoirs, and iii), interfacial film dynamics during compression-expansion cycling. Results show that serum creates a steric barrier that impedes surfactant reaching the interface. A mechanical perturbation of this barrier allows native surfactant to compete efficiently with serum to form a highly surface-active film. Exposure of native surfactant to cholesterol or meconium, on the other hand, modifies the compressibility of surfactant films though optimal compressibility properties recover on repetitive compression-expansion cycling. Addition of polymers like dextran or hyaluronic acid to surfactant fully reverses inhibition by serum. These polymers also prevent surfactant inhibition by cholesterol or meconium, suggesting that the protective action of polymers goes beyond the mere enhancement of interfacial adsorption as described by depletion force theories.

Interfacial behavior and structural properties of a clinical lung surfactant from porcine source.

Surfacen® is a clinical surfactant preparation of porcine origin, partly depleted of cholesterol, which is widely used in Cuba to treat pre-term babies at risk or already suffering neonatal respiratory distress. In the present study we have characterized the interfacial behavior of Surfacen in several in vitro functional models, including spreading and compression-expansion cycling isotherms in surface balances and in a captive bubble surfactometer, in comparison with the functional properties of whole native surfactant purified from porcine lungs and its reconstituted organic extract, the material from which Surfacen is derived. Surfacen exhibited similar properties to native porcine surfactant or its organic extract to efficiently form stable surface active films at the air-liquid interface, able to consistently reach surface tensions below 5mN/m upon repetitive compression-expansion cycling. Surfacen films, however, showed a substantially larger and stable compression-driven segregation of condensed lipid phases than exhibited by films formed by native surfactant or its organic extract. In spite of structural differences observed at microscopic level, Surfacen membranes showed a similar thermotropic behavior to membranes from native surfactant or its organic extract, characterized by calorimetry or fluorescence spectroscopy of samples doped with the Laurdan probe. On the other hand, analysis by atomic force microscopy of films formed by Surfacen or by the organic extract of native porcine surfactant revealed a similar network of interconnected condensed nanostructures, suggesting that the organization of the films at the submicroscopic level is the essential feature to support the proper stability and mechanical properties permitting the interfacial surfactant films to facilitate the work of breathing.

Adaptation to low body temperature influences pulmonary surfactant composition thereby increasing fluidity while maintaining appropriately ordered membrane structure and surface activity.

The interfacial surface tension of the lung is regulated by phospholipid-rich pulmonary surfactant films. Small changes in temperature affect surfactant structure and function in vitro. We compared the compositional, thermodynamic and functional properties of surfactant from hibernating and summer-active 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) with porcine surfactant to understand structure-function relationships in surfactant membranes and films. Hibernating squirrels had more surfactant large aggregates with more fluid monounsaturated molecular species than summer-active animals. The latter had more unsaturated species than porcine surfactant. Cold-adapted surfactant membranes displayed gel-to-fluid transitions at lower phase transition temperatures with reduced enthalpy. Both hibernating and summer-active squirrel surfactants exhibited lower enthalpy than porcine surfactant. LAURDAN fluorescence and DPH anisotropy revealed that surfactant bilayers from both groups of squirrels possessed similar ordered phase characteristics at low temperatures. While ground squirrel surfactants functioned well during dynamic cycling at 3, 25, and 37 degrees C, porcine surfactant demonstrated poorer activity at 3 degrees C but was superior at 37 degrees C. Consequently the surfactant composition of ground squirrels confers a greater thermal flexibility relative to homeothermic mammals, while retaining tight lipid packing at low body temperatures. This may represent the most critical feature contributing to sustained stability of the respiratory interface at low lung volumes. Thus, while less effective than porcine surfactant at 37 degrees C, summer-active surfactant functions adequately at both 37 degrees C and 3 degrees C allowing these animals to enter hibernation. Here further compositional alterations occur which improve function at low temperatures by maintaining adequate stability at low lung volumes and when temperature increases during arousal from hibernation.

Caracterización de la Red Nacional de Diagnóstico de Malaria, Colombia, 2006-2010 / Characterization of the National Malaria Diagnostic Network, Colombia, 2006-2010

Introducción. La implementación y desarrollo de actividades del sistema de gestión de la calidad del diagnóstico de malaria, permiten el adecuado funcionamiento de la red nacional de diagnóstico, necesario para fortalecer acciones de prevención y control de este evento, importante en salud pública. Objetivo. Caracterizar la Red de Diagnóstico de Malaria en Colombia, entre 2006 y 2010. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio retrospectivo mediante la revisión de los informes anuales de actividades de la Red de Diagnóstico de Malaria, enviados por los laboratorios de salud pública entre 2006 y 2010. Se analizó la cobertura de diagnóstico en la población en riesgo, las actividades de evaluación del desempeño y las capacitaciones al personal que hace el diagnóstico. Resultados. La cobertura del diagnóstico de malaria se ha incrementado en el país, pasando de 53 % de los municipios, en 2006, a 80 %, en 2010. El número de sitios que hacen el diagnóstico aumentó en 31 %, con un incremento en el número de microscopistas (56 %) y de laboratorios (30 %), para un total de 1.195 y 1.780, respectivamente, registrados en 2010. En el periodo de estudio, se mantuvo el porcentaje de laboratorios de salud pública (67 %) que llevan a cabo, al menos, tres de las actividades del sistema de gestión de la calidad a la Red de Diagnóstico de Malaria a nivel local. Conclusiones. Es necesario continuar con el fortalecimiento de la Red de Diagnóstico de Malaria, para brindar diagnóstico oportuno y con calidad con el fin de reducir la morbimortalidad por esta causa.

Introduction. The implementation and development of activities of the quality assurance system of malaria diagnosis, allows the adequate operation of the national diagnostic network, needed to strengthen prevention and control actions of this important public health problem. Objective. To characterize the malaria diagnosis network in Colombia between 2006 and 2010. Materials and methods. A retrospective study was made by reviewing the annual reports of malaria diagnosis network activities that were sent by the Public Health Laboratories (PHL) between 2006 and 2010. The study included analysis of diagnostic coverage in population at risk and an evaluation of activities and training to the people responsible for malaria diagnosis. Results. Malaria diagnostic coverage has increased in Colombia, from 53% of municipalities covered in 2006 to 80% in 2010. The number of places that perform diagnosis increased by 31% with a significant increase, for the same period, of the number of microscopists (56%) and laboratories (30%), to 1,195 and 1,780 respectively, registered in 2010. During the period of study, the percentage of PHL that carried out at least 3 of the activities of the quality assurance system for the diagnostic network at local level was 67%. Conclusions. It is necessary to continue strengthening the malaria diagnosis network to provide timely and adequate diagnosis in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality by malaria.

Palmitoylation of pulmonary surfactant protein SP-C is critical for its functional cooperation with SP-B to sustain compression/expansion dynamics in cholesterol-containing surfactant films.

Recent data suggest that a functional cooperation between surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C may be required to sustain a proper compression-expansion dynamics in the presence of physiological proportions of cholesterol. SP-C is a dually palmitoylated polypeptide of 4.2 kDa, but the role of acylation in SP-C activity is not completely understood. In this work we have compared the behavior of native palmitoylated SP-C and recombinant nonpalmitoylated versions of SP-C produced in bacteria to get a detailed insight into the importance of the palmitic chains to optimize interfacial performance of cholesterol-containing surfactant films. We found that palmitoylation of SP-C is not essential for the protein to promote rapid interfacial adsorption of phospholipids to equilibrium surface tensions (∼22 mN/m), in the presence or absence of cholesterol. However, palmitoylation of SP-C is critical for cholesterol-containing films to reach surface tensions ≤1 mN/m at the highest compression rates assessed in a captive bubble surfactometer, in the presence of SP-B. Interestingly, the ability of SP-C to facilitate reinsertion of phospholipids during expansion was not impaired to the same extent in the absence of palmitoylation, suggesting the existence of palmitoylation-dependent and -independent functions of the protein. We conclude that palmitoylation is key for the functional cooperation of SP-C with SP-B that enables cholesterol-containing surfactant films to reach very low tensions under compression, which could be particularly important in the design of clinical surfactants destined to replacement therapies in pathologies such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Combined and independent action of proteins SP-B and SP-C in the surface behavior and mechanical stability of pulmonary surfactant films.

The hydrophobic proteins SP-B and SP-C are essential for pulmonary surfactant function, even though they are a relatively minor component (<2% of surfactant dry mass). Despite countless studies, their specific differential action and their possible concerted role to optimize the surface properties of surfactant films have not been completely elucidated. Under conditions kept as physiologically relevant as possible, we tested the surface activity and mechanical stability of several surfactant films of varying protein composition in vitro using a captive bubble surfactometer and a novel (to our knowledge) stability test. We found that in the naturally derived surfactant lipid mixtures, surfactant protein SP-B promoted film formation and reextension to lower surface tensions than SP-C, and in particular played a vital role in sustaining film stability at the most compressed states, whereas SP-C produced no stabilization. Preparations containing both proteins together revealed a slight combined effect in enhancing film formation. These results provide a qualitative and quantitative framework for the development of future synthetic therapeutic surfactants, and illustrate the crucial need to include SP-B or an efficient SP-B analog for optimal function.

Evaluación de dos pruebas rápidas [NOW® ICT Malaria Pf/Pv y OptiMAL®] para el diagnóstico de paludismo en Tumaco, Colombia / Evaluation of two rapid diagnostic tests, NOW® ICT Malaria Pf/Pv and OptiMAL®, for diagnosis of malaria

Introducción. El Instituto Nacional de Salud con el fin de mejorar el acceso al diagnóstico de paludismo, evaluó dos pruebas rápidas para el diagnóstico de dicha enfermedad. Objetivo. Evaluar la sensibilidad, especificidad y concordancia de dos pruebas inmunocromatográficas, NOW® ICT Malaria Pf/Pv y OptiMAL®, frente a la gota gruesa. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo de concordancia en 214 pacientes de Tumaco, captados mediante búsqueda pasiva y brigadas de atención, que presentaran, por lo menos, uno de los síntomas de la tríada clásica. Resultados. NOW® ICT tuvo una sensibilidad general de 98,4 por ciento (intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento (IC95 por ciento): 90,3-99,9), especificidad general de 98,0 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 93,9-99,5). Para Plasmodium falciparum la sensibilidad fue de 98,2 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 89,4-99,9) especificidad de 98,1 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 94,1-99,5). Esta sensibilidad disminuyó a 80 por ciento en el rango de 200-4.000 parásitos/µl. Los valores de sensibilidad y especificidad de NOW® ICT para Plasmodium vivax fueron del 100 por ciento y no se afectó la sensibilidad en los rangos de parasitemias establecidos. OptiMAL® tuvo una sensibilidad general de 95,2 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 85,8-98,8) y especificidad general de 99,3 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 95,8-100,0). Para P. falciparum OptiMAL® tuvo una sensibilidad de 94,7 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 84,5-98,6) y especificidad de 99,4 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 96,0-100,0). La sensibilidad disminuyó a 60 por ciento en el rango de de 200-4.000 parásitos/µl. La sensibilidad de OptiMAL® para P. vivax fue 66,7 por ciento (IC95 por ciento: 24,1-94,0), pero disminuyó a 50 por ciento en el rango de 300-2.500 parásitos/µl. Conclusiones. Se obtuvieron buenos resultados en la sensibilidad y la especificidad para ambas pruebas, pero superiores para NOW® ICT.

Introduction. To increase the accessibility of malaria diagnosis, the Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia undertook a field trial to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of two rapid diagnostic tests. Objective. The sensitivity, specificity and concordance was compared for two rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, NOW® ICT Malaria Pf/Pv and OptiMAL®, Materials and methods. A descriptive and concordance study was performed with 214 patients in the southwestern coastal city of Tumaco, Colombia, each of whom presented at least one of the symptoms of the classical malaria triad. Two strategies were applied for patient recruitment—one by passive search and a second through local health brigades. Results. NOW® ICT showed a general sensitivity of 98.4% (95%CI: 90.3-99.9), and a general specificity of 98.0% (95%CI: 93.9-99.5). For Plasmodium falciparum, the sensitivity was 98.2% (95%CI: 89.4-99.9) and the specificity 98.1% (95%CI: 94.1-99.5). The sensitivity was lower (80.0%) when parasitemia ranged from 200 to 4,000 parasites/ ìl. The sensitivity and specificity of the NOW® ICT for P. vivax malaria were 100%. The sensitivity for this test was not affected for the established ranges of parasitemia for P. vivax. The overall figures for OptiMAL® were 95.2% (95%CI: 85.8-98.8) sensitivity and 99.3% (95%CI: 95.8-100.0) specificity. For P. falciparum malaria OptiMAL® showed 94.7% (95%CI: 84.5-98.6) sensitivity and 99.4% (95%CI: 96.0-100.0) specificity. The sensitivity was lower (60.0%) when samples with 200-4,000 parasites/ìl were tested. For P. vivax, OptiMAL® presented a 66.7% (95%CI: 24.1-94.0) sensitivity, which diminished to 50% with a parasitemia between 300-2.500 parasites/ ìL. Conclusions. Good results for sensitivity and specificity were obtained for malaria diagnosis using NOW® ICT and OptiMAL®, with NOW®ICT showing higher sensitivity and specificity values than OptiMAL®.

[Evaluation of two rapid diagnostic tests, NOW ICT Malaria Pf/Pv and OptiMAL, for diagnosis of malaria]. / Evaluación de dos pruebas rápidas [NOW ICT Malaria Pf/Pv y OptiMAL] para el diagnóstico de paludismo en Tumaco, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: To increase the accessibility of malaria diagnosis, the Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia undertook a field trial to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of two rapid diagnostic tests. OBJECTIVE: The sensitivity, specificity and concordance was compared for two rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, NOW ICT Malaria Pf/Pv and OptiMAL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive and concordance study was performed with 214 patients in the southwestern coastal city of Tumaco, Colombia, each of whom presented at least one of the symptoms of the classical malaria triad. Two strategies were applied for patient recruitment-one by passive search and a second through local health brigades. RESULTS: NOW ICT showed a general sensitivity of 98.4% (95%CI: 90.3-99.9), and a general specificity of 98.0% (95%CI: 93.9-99.5). For Plasmodium falciparum, the sensitivity was 98.2% (95%CI: 89.4-99.9) and the specificity 98.1% (95%CI: 94.1-99.5). The sensitivity was lower (80.0%) when parasitemia ranged from 200 to 4,000 parasites/microl. The sensitivity and specificity of the NOW ICT for P. vivax malaria were 100%. The sensitivity for this test was not affected for the established ranges of parasitemia for P. vivax. The overall figures for OptiMAL were 95.2% (95%CI: 85.8-98.8) sensitivity and 99.3% (95%CI: 95.8-100.0) specificity. For P. falciparum malaria OptiMAL showed 94.7% (95%CI: 84.5-98.6) sensitivity and 99.4% (95%CI: 96.0-100.0) specificity. The sensitivity was lower (60.0%) when samples with 200-4,000 parasites/microl were tested. For P. vivax, OptiMAL presented a 66.7% (95%CI: 24.1-94.0) sensitivity, which diminished to 50% with a parasitemia between 300-2.500 parasites/microL. CONCLUSIONS: Good results for sensitivity and specificity were obtained for malaria diagnosis using NOW ICT and OptiMAL, with NOW ICT showing higher sensitivity and specificity values than OptiMAL.