Performance of OptiMAL-IT (R) compared to microscopy, for malaria detection in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Summary Objective To compare the performance of OptiMAL-IT((R)), a rapid diagnostic test for malaria, with that of microscopy in Burkina Faso. Method Finger-prick blood samples of 464 children attending hospital for suspected malaria were tested for malaria by microscopy and OptiMAL-IT((R)). Results The sensitivity and specificity of OptiMAL-IT((R)) were 98.7% (CI 95% = 97.6-99.8) and 96.2% (CI 95% = 94.3-98.1) respectively, with a high positive likelihood ratio (25.97). Conclusion OptiMAL-IT((R)) can be considered a good method to diagnose malaria in Burkina Faso, particularly in remote areas with little or no access to microscopy services.