Malaria is still a major health issue in much of the world today, especially in developing tropical and subtropical countries. Early and correct diagnosis is important in the case management and treatment of this potentially deadly illness. The various Malaria Tests accessible are categorized into various categories depending on the role that a particular test plays in identifying malaria parasitaemia in the body. Having a clear understanding about these tests is beneficial to make proper diagnosis and management. This informative article describes various malaria tests, their approaches, and their relevance in the fight against malaria.
Understanding Malaria
Malaria is a disease that arises from parasites which are of the Plasmodium genus, transmitted through the bite of female Anopheles Mosquitoes. After ingestion, the parasites escape through the intestine and make their way into the blood stream where they migrate to the liver and develop and multiply. After reaching the liver the parasites migrate to the red blood cells and cause flu-like illness with the symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and if not treated may lead to organ failure and even death.
Importance of Malaria Testing
Malaria should be detected at an early stage to ensure the patient receives appropriate treatment to avoid complications. Malaria tests can provide conclusive information if the malaria parasite is present in the blood so that the correct antimalarial agents can be administered and the management of the disease can be adequately addressed.
Types of Malaria Tests
- Microscopic Examination (Blood Smear)
Blood smear examination is the traditional and still the most used microscopy technique in the diagnosis of malaria. A few drops of blood are put on a glass slide and stained with a special colour to check for the malaria parasites. This makes it possible to identify the Plasmodium species involved and has information on parasite density which is essential in establishing the severity of the disease.
- Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are palm-sized instruments that do not require training and offer simple techniques to screen for malaria antigens, which are proteins secreted by the parasite in the blood of an infected patient. RDTs are especially preferred in places where laboratory facilities and diagnostic tests are not easily accessible. These tests give short results within 15-20 minutes and are very useful for early diagnosis and treatment in remote areas.
- Molecular Tests (PCR)
Molecular diagnostics involve Polymerase chain reaction commonly referred to as PCR and are very sensitive in detecting the malaria parasite DNA in the blood. PCR tests can detect small parasite concentrations, which might not be detected by other methods, and as such, are useful in participative diagnosis whenever other diagnostic models like microscopy or RDT return questionable results. PCR tests are slightly more complicated and costly since they need specialized equipment and trained personnel but are rather accurate and can identify different species of Plasmodium.
- Serology (Antibody Tests)
Serological tests identify antigens derived from the immune response which occurs when the body is infected with malaria. Unlike other tests that identify the parasite, serology tests provide information about whether a person has ever contracted malaria in their lifetime, whether the illness is active or not. These tests are helpful for the epidemiological investigations and monitoring and evaluation, but not advisable for the confirmation of acute malaria cases.
Choosing the Right Test
Some of the factors which determine the type of malaria test to be used include availability of the laboratory equipment’s and financial aspect, level of malaria endemicity, and the clinical status of the febrile patient among others. Malaria diagnosis is still done by microscopy, but RDTs are highly useful for quick diagnostic tests in the field in rural settings. PCR tests are used only in complicated cases or when high sensitivity is needed to provide the precise result.
Conclusion
In conclusion, timely and proper diagnosis of malaria is essential in disease control and prevention. The information on the types of malaria tests, including microscopical examination, rapid diagnostic test, PCR test, and serology enhances the fight against malaria through the appropriate and efficient use of malaria tests. Depending on the clinical setting of the patient and the prevalence of malaria in the local population, healthcare workers can select the most relevant test to speed up the diagnosis and subsequently, minimize the global impacts of malaria.
Thus, it becomes crucial to learn about malaria tests to identify the disease timely and select the right one to treat it.
