Revolutionary Malaria Test: 6 Healthy Test For Fever

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Recognize symptoms like fever and fatigue. Timely malaria test and treatment ensure a favorable outcome. Learn more about malaria prevention now!

 

6 Malaria Test for Diagnosis

Accurate Malaria diagnosis is vital for timely treatment, preventing complications, and saving lives. Don't underestimate the power of early detection!

 

Here is a list of commonly used Malaria test for diagnosing:

1. Blood smear microscopy
2. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)
3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
4. Serology tests
5. Antigen detection tests
6. Quantitative buffy coat (QBC) test

 

 

1. Blood Smear Microscopy

• Blood smear microscopy is a commonly used malaria test.
• It involves examining a blood sample under a microscope.
• Detects malaria parasites to confirm the presence of infection.

Blood Smear Microscopy	Details
Also Known As	Thick and thin blood smear
Purpose	Detect malaria parasites
Sample	Blood
Preparation	Staining blood smear slides
Procedure	Microscopic examination of slides
Test Timing	2-4 hours
Test Price (INR)	100-500
Result Value	Presence or absence of malaria parasites
Normal Value	No malaria
Accuracy	Moderate
Interpretation	Positive indicates malaria infection

Blood smear microscopy is a widely used test to detect malaria parasites in blood samples. It provides results within a few hours, indicating the presence or absence of parasites.

 

2. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)

• Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are convenient and rapid malaria test.
• They provide quick results within minutes, detecting specific malaria antigens.
• Widely used in areas with limited access to laboratory facilities.

Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)	Details
Also Known As	Malaria rapid test
Purpose	Detect malaria
Sample	Blood
Preparation	None
Procedure	Immunoassay
Test Timing	15-20 mins
Test Price (INR)	100-300
Result Value	Positive or negative for malaria
Normal Value	Negative
Accuracy	High
Interpretation	Positive indicates malaria infection

Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are quick and efficient in detecting malaria using blood samples. Results are obtained within minutes, providing a positive or negative indication of malaria infection.

 

3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly sensitive malaria test.
• It amplifies and detects malaria DNA to confirm the presence of the infection.
• Used for accurate diagnosis, especially in low-level parasitemia or when other tests yield inconclusive results.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)	Details
Also Known As	PCR test
Purpose	Detect malaria DNA
Sample	Blood
Preparation	DNA extraction
Procedure	Amplification of DNA using PCR
Test Timing	2-4 hours
Test Price (INR)	500-3000
Result Value	Presence or absence of malaria DNA
Normal Value	No malaria DNA
Accuracy	High
Interpretation	Positive indicates malaria DNA presence

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a highly accurate test for detecting malaria DNA in blood samples. Results are obtained within hours, indicating the presence or absence of malaria DNA.

 

4. Serology Tests

• Serology tests are used for detecting malaria antibodies in the blood.
• They can indicate past exposure to malaria parasites.
• Helpful in surveillance, research, and assessing immunity in populations.

Serology Tests	Details
Also Known As	Antibody test
Purpose	Detect antibodies against malaria
Sample	Blood
Preparation	None
Procedure	Immunoassay
Test Timing	2-4 hours
Test Price (INR)	200-1000
Result Value	Presence or absence of malaria antibodies
Normal Value	Malaria-negative
Accuracy	Variable
Interpretation	Positive indicates previous or current malaria exposure

Serology tests of malaria test, also known as antibody tests, detect malaria antibodies in blood samples. Results are obtained within hours, indicating previous or current exposure to malaria.

 

5. Antigen Detection Tests

• Antigen detection tests are rapid and specific malaria test.
• They detect specific malaria antigens in the blood.
• Useful for quick Malaria diagnosis, especially in areas with limited laboratory resources.

Antigen Detection Tests	Details
Also Known As	Antigen rapid test
Purpose	Detect malaria antigens
Sample	Blood
Preparation	None
Procedure	Immunoassay
Test Timing	15-20 mins
Test Price (INR)	100-500
Result Value	Positive or negative for malaria
Normal Value	Negative
Accuracy	Moderate
Interpretation	Positive indicates the presence of malaria antigens

Antigen Detection Tests of malaria test, also known as Antigen rapid tests, quickly detect malaria antigens in blood samples. Results are obtained within minutes, indicating the presence or absence of malaria antigens.

 

6. Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) Test

• The quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) test is a specialized malaria test.
• It concentrates malaria parasites in a blood sample for easier detection.
• Provides a quantitative assessment of parasitemia levels.

Quantitative Buffy Coat Test	Details
Also Known As	QBC test
Purpose	Detect malaria parasites
Sample	Blood
Preparation	None
Procedure	Staining of blood
Test Timing	2-4 hours
Test Price (INR)	300-1000
Result Value	Presence or absence of malaria parasites
Normal Value	No malaria
Accuracy	Moderate
Interpretation	Positive indicates malaria infection

The Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) of malaria test quickly detects malaria parasites in blood samples. Results are obtained within hours, indicating the presence or absence of malaria parasites.

 

Malaria Diagnosis Tests Overview

Test Name	Blood Smear Microscopy	Rapid Diagnostic Tests	Polymerase Chain Reaction
Also Known As	Thick and thin blood smear	Malaria rapid test	PCR test
Purpose	Detect and identify malaria	Detect malaria	Detect malaria DNA
Sample	Blood	Blood	Blood
Preparation	Staining the slides	None	DNA extraction
Procedure	Microscopic examination	Immunoassay	Amplification of DNA using PCR
Test Timing	2-4 hours	15-20 mins	2-4 hours
Test Price (INR)	100-500	100-300	500-3000
Result Value	Presence or absence of malaria	Positive or negative for malaria	Presence or absence of malaria DNA
Normal Value	No malaria	Negative	No malaria
Accuracy	Moderate to high	High	High
Interpretation	Positive indicates malaria infection	Positive indicates malaria infection	Positive indicates the presence of malaria DNA

 

Blood smear microscopy detects and identifies malaria parasites, while rapid diagnostic tests quickly detect malaria. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are used to detect malaria DNA.

 

Malaria Differential Diagnosis

Similar Disease	Differentiating Factors
Dengue fever	Presence of malaria parasites in blood smear
Typhoid fever	Positive blood culture for Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi
Influenza	Positive malaria test (RDT, PCR, or microscopy)
Viral Hepatitis	Presence of malaria parasites in blood smear
Leptospirosis	Positive specific serological tests for Leptospira
Bacterial pneumonia	Positive malaria test (RDT, PCR, or microscopy)
Rickettsial infections	Positive specific serological tests for Rickettsia
Babesiosis	Positive blood smear for Babesia parasites

Malaria differential diagnosis involves distinguishing it from similar diseases such as dengue fever, typhoid fever, influenza, viral hepatitis, and more, based on differentiating factors like presence of malaria parasites, positive blood cultures, and specific serological tests.

 

Best Doctor for Malaria

Specialist	Description
Infectious Disease Specialist	Expert in treating infectious diseases
Tropical Medicine Specialist	Specializes in tropical medicine
Travel Medicine Specialist	Expert in travel-related health concerns
Internal Medicine Specialist	Diagnoses and treats internal diseases
Pediatrician	Specializes in children's health

Top specialists for malaria include Infectious Disease Specialist along with Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrician expertise in treatment and care.

 

7 Interesting Facts of Malaria Diagnosis

Here are 7 Interesting Facts about Malaria Diagnosis.

1. Malaria can be diagnosed using a simple urine malaria test.
2. Dogs have been trained to detect malaria by sniffing socks.
3. Malaria can be diagnosed by analyzing the sound of a patient's cough.
4. A mobile app can diagnose malaria by analyzing images of blood samples.
5. Malaria can be detected through the scent of infected individuals.
6. Scientists are developing a "breathalyzer" for malaria diagnosis.
7. Malaria diagnosis using saliva samples is being explored as a non-invasive method.

 

Conclusion

Malaria test involves various methods like blood smear microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), PCR, and serology tests. These tests play a crucial role in timely detection and accurate malaria diagnosis, enabling effective treatment and control of the disease.

 

Reference

• Diagnosis of malaria - Wikipedia [1].
• Diagnostic Tests - Malaria - NCBI Bookshelf [2].
• Diagnostic testing for malaria - WHO [3].