The main objective of this study was to test the sensitivity and specificity of rapid diagnostic test for malaria parasite in comparison to slide microscopy as gold standard. Data were acquired from blood mass survey of malaria infection conducted in the community of Paquibato district, Davao City. There were 377 total participants examined through Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and slide microscopy. Of the 377 participants tested, 16 (4.24%) of them were positive to Plasmodium falciparum and 68 (18.04%) were positive to Plasmodium vivax using slide microscopy. Of the 16 participants’ positive for P. faciparum, PfRDT (HRP-2) correctly identified 13 expressing 81.25% (low) sensitivity of the tool. Of the 68 participants’ positive for P. vivax, PvRDT (pLDH) correctly identified 65 expressing 95.59% (high) sensitivity. Both of the RDTs (HRP-2 and pLDH), however, attained 100% specificity. PfRDT (HRP-2) has a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 99.2%, likewise PvRDT (pLDH) has a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 99.04%, all in all, suggesting a high degree of reliability of SD BIOLINE Malaria Antigen P.f/P.v. the data showed no significant difference on the performance level of RDT, albeit less sensitive, compared to slide microscopy.
ISSN 1656-0604 (Print)
Philippine E-Journals
