The sensitivity of the OptiMAL rapid diagnostic test to the presence of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes compromises its ability to monitor treatment outcomes in an area of Papua New Guinea in which malaria is endemic

Ivo Mueller; Inoni Betuela; Meza Ginny; John C Reeder; Blaise Genton

doi:10.1128/JCM.00816-06

The sensitivity of the OptiMAL rapid diagnostic test to the presence of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes compromises its ability to monitor treatment outcomes in an area of Papua New Guinea in which malaria is endemic

J Clin Microbiol. 2007 Feb;45(2):627-30. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00816-06. Epub 2006 Nov 29.

Authors

Ivo Mueller¹, Inoni Betuela, Meza Ginny, John C Reeder, Blaise Genton

Affiliation

¹ PNG Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 378, Madang 511, Papua New Guinea. pngimr_ivo@datec.net.pg

Abstract

Using in vivo samples from treatment failure malaria cases, we demonstrate the high sensitivity of the parasite lactase dehydrogenase (pLDH)-based OptiMAL rapid diagnostic test in the detection of P. falciparum gametocytes. This high sensitivity limits the use of pLDH-based tests in the monitoring of treatment outcomes in circumstances where gametocytemia is common.

Publication types

Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

Animals
Antimalarials / therapeutic use
Endemic Diseases
Humans
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / blood*
Malaria, Falciparum / diagnosis
Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
Malaria, Falciparum / parasitology
Malaria, Vivax / drug therapy
Malaria, Vivax / parasitology
Papua New Guinea
Parasitemia / diagnosis
Parasitemia / drug therapy*
Parasitemia / parasitology
Parasitology / methods
Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology
Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development*
Plasmodium falciparum / isolation & purification
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antimalarials
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase