Identification of cryptic coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum in patients presenting with vivax malaria
In Thailand, ∼ 8% of patients treated for vivax malaria are found subsequently to have coinfection with Plasimodium falciparum. A P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP-2) dipstick test was evaluated as a predictor of mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum in a prospective study of 238...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/26576 |
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| Institution: | Mahidol University |
| Summary: | In Thailand, ∼ 8% of patients treated for vivax malaria are found subsequently to have coinfection with Plasimodium falciparum. A P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP-2) dipstick test was evaluated as a predictor of mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum in a prospective study of 238 patients admitted to the hospital with acute vivax malaria. Of these, 23 (10%) had subsequent development of falciparum malaria without reexposure. Patients with cryptic P. falciparum infection had a significantly lower mean (standard deviation) hematocrit than those with P. vivax alone: 29.6 (7.6%) versus 37.2 (6.4%) (P < 0.0001). Using microscopic appearance of P. falciparum after the start of treatment as the reference standard, the PfHRP-2 test was 74% sensitive and 99% specific in predicting mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum parasitemia at presentation. The PfHRP-2 dipstick test may be a useful adjunct to microscopy in areas where mixed infections are common. |
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