Ensuring quality and access for malaria diagnosis: how can it be achieved?
David Bell1, Chansuda Wongsrichanalai, John W Barnwell
1Malaria, and other Vector-borne and Parasitic Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, P.O. Box 2932, Manila, Philippines. belld@wpro.who.int
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|September 28, 2006
Summary
Accurate malaria diagnosis is crucial with new drug treatments. High-quality rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are needed to improve case management in endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Background:
- Conventional antimalarial drugs are being replaced by expensive artemisinin-based treatments, creating a need for better malaria diagnosis.
- Traditional microscopy is insufficient for the increased demand for accurate malaria diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges and potential of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in malaria management.
- To emphasize the need for high-quality RDTs for effective disease control.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews the current landscape of malaria diagnosis and RDT implementation.
- It analyzes factors affecting RDT performance and quality assurance.
Main Results:
- Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) show promise for malaria diagnosis but face challenges.
- Poor product performance and inadequate quality control hinder RDT effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- High-quality, reliable RDTs are essential for successful malaria case management.
- Shifting to parasite-based diagnosis with RDTs can improve tropical fever management without burdening health systems.
