A Comparative Evaluation of Light Microscopy, Fluorescent Microscopy and Antigen Detection In The Diagnosis Of Malaria

This study was done to compare the ability of conventional thick and thin blood smear examination with Field’s stain, fluorescent staining with acridine orange using Kawamato acridine orange interference filter system using fluorescent microscope and antigen detection based on PLdH in relation to diagnosis of malaria and also to find out common species of Plasmodium in this area. A total of 100 samples collected from patients attending medical outpatient clinic with fever and chills suspected of having malaria. In our study 40 cases are positive by blood film by fields stain on examination after Field’s staining, 40% cases were positive by fluorescent stain using acridine orange and 43 cases are positive by antigen detection [SD bioline (pH based)]. The common species in this area is P.vivax(57.5%) followed by P.falciparum (42.5%). This assay of SD bioline antigen detection test had sensitivity of 100% compared to traditional blood film examination for malarial parasites (and 3 more cases are positive with Ag detection). Thus SD bioline (pH based) Ag detection test can be used with/without traditional blood film examination for detection of both P.vivax and P.falciparum malaria and can be effectively used for the rapid diagnosis of malaria.