A Comparative Study of Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Against the Conventional Peripheral Blood Smear Microscopy in the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Malaria in Children
Author(s): Shachi Bhanuda, M Shafath Ahmed and S Sundari*
Abstract
The Present study includes a comparative study evaluating the diagnostic value of Quantitative Buffy Coat and Rapid Diagnostic Test (using pLDH) against the conventional peripheral blood smear microscopy, in the diagnosis of malaria in children between 6 months to 14 years of age. The present study focuses on the clinical profile of malaria cases detected by the peripheral smear. RDT (pLDH) is highly sensitive in picking up falciparum cases, which is equivalent to QBC. So, it can be used as a diagnostic tool for falciparum malaria where facilities of expert microscopy/ QBC are not available. The sensitivity of RDT (pLDH) in diagnosing vivax malaria is lower than that of peripheral smear microscopy and QBC.