Журнал бактериологии и паразитологии

Абстрактный

Asymptomatic Malaria in Schoolchildren and Performance Evaluation of Partec Cyscope in the Mountain Cameroon Region

Helen Kuokuo Kimbi, Hilda Uforka Ajiga, Frederick Chi Keka, Emmaculat Lam, Herve Nyabee Nyabeu, Calvin Fotsing Tonga, Asaa Humphrey Ga and Leopold Gustave Lehmann

The key to effective treatment of malaria is rapid and accurate diagnosis followed by effective treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and density of asymptomatic malaria parasites and evaluate the performance characteristics of the Partec CyScope® (fluorescence microscope) in school children in the Mount Cameroon region using light microscopy as the gold standard. A total of 541 students aged 4 to 16 years participated in the study. After recording demographic data for each child, capillary blood was collected to prepare thin and thick blood films to assess parasite density and speciation, respectively. Five microliters of blood were placed on a stained portion of a glass slide, covered with a coverslip, incubated for 1 minute and observed under the CyScope® for the presence of parasites. The performance characteristics of the CyScope® were calculated. The overall malaria prevalence was 64.0% and 58.4% for light microscopy and Partec CyScope®, respectively. The overall geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was 2255.22 (range 320-35040). The sensitivity of the test was 91.3% and the specificity was 86.7%. Partec CyScope® showed relatively high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing malaria in schoolchildren and can therefore be used in mass surveillance programs for malaria management and control.