Evaluation of antigen detection tests, microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of malaria in peripheral blood in asymptomatic pregnant women in Nanoro, Burkina Faso

Johanna H Kattenberg, Christian M Tahita, Inge A J Versteeg, Halidou Tinto, Maminata Traoré Coulibaly, Umberto D'Alessandro, Henk D F H Schallig, Petra F Mens

Research output: Contribution to journalA2: International peer reviewed article (not A1-type)peer-review

Abstract

Rapid diagnostics tests (RDTs) detect malaria specific antigen(s) in the circulation, even when parasites are sequestered in the placenta and not visible by microscopy. However, research on their diagnostic accuracy during pregnancy is limited. Pregnant women (n = 418) were screened for malaria during routine antenatal care by using two RDTs that detect histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) or Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with antibodies that detect dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase or heme-detoxification protein, and compared with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and microscopy for evaluation of their diagnostic accuracy. Prevalence of malaria infection was high (53% by PCR). The RT-PCR and the HRP2 RDT detected most cases of malaria during pregnancy, whereas microscopy, the Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase RDT, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase and heme-detoxification protein antibodies did not detect several low-density infections. Therefore, the HRP2 RDT could be a useful tool in high-transmission areas for diagnosis of malaria in asymptomatic pregnant women.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume87
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)251-256
Number of pages6
ISSN0002-9637
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug-2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Malaria, Falciparum
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Plasmodium falciparum
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic
  • Prevalence
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase
  • Thymidylate Synthase
  • Young Adult
  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Studies
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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