Parascreen as an Alternative Diagnostic Tool for Falciparum Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic disease with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid immunochromatographic are emerging to detect specific antigens of human plasmodia. Objective To determine the sensitivity and specificity of Parascreen for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in children. Methods A diagnostic test study was performed in Mandailing Natal District, Penyabungan, North Sumatera. Subjects were public health center and hospital patients with symptoms of fever, pallor, headache, and diarrhea. Blood specimens were obtained for Parascreen testing. Microscopy of Giemsa-stained blood samples served as the gold standard. Results One hundred and four subjects were studied. The sensitiv-