Sensitivity of Three Diagnostic Methods (PF Antigen Test, QBC and Blood

Smear) in Determining Malaria Prevalence among Patients Referred to
Goodnews Medical Laboratory, Umuahia, Nigeria
Etusim P.E1, Nwosu E.C2, Uzoanya C.E1, Melariri P.E3, and Ukpai O4.
1Unit of Medical Parasitology and Entomology,
Abia State University, Uturu. Nigeria
2Unit of Parasitology and Pest Management
Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
3Division of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine,
University of Cape Town Medical School K45, South Africa.
4Unit of Medical Parasitology,
Michael Okpara Federal University of Agriculture, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
E-mail: etusimp@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Three diagnostic methods were used in malaria screening of patients referred to Goodnews diagnostic laboratory, Umuahia to determine their sensitivity as well as the infection prevalence. Blood samples were collected from 150 patients and subjected to three different malaria tests namely: PF antigen test (P.f), Blood Smear method (BS) and Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) method. Highest infection prevalence (60.69%) was recorded by the Pf antigen test followed by the BS method which recorded 58.67% infection rate. The least infection rate 55.33% was recorded by the QBC method and the differences were not statistically significant (X2 = 0.90, p<0.05). Males were more infected (73.02%, 60.34% and 69.84%) than females (50.57%) in Pf antigen, QBC and BS methods respectively but differences were not statistically significant (X2 = 2.25, P<0.05). Infection was highest in patients of 71 years and above (100%) followed by those in 1-10 years of age (70.59%). The blood smear method showed the highest sensitivity (100%) followed by Pf antigen test (96.70%) and QBC yielded 94.62%. the high sensitivity of the three methods recommends them for use, but for clinical diagnosis the Pf antigen test should be supplemented with either QBC or BS method.