COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR AND IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHIC TEST FOR MALARIA DIAGNOSIS IN A RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Journal: International Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research

Article type: Original Research Articles

Published: 2026-04-05

Volume: 11; Issue: 2; Pages: 171-175

ISSN: 2395-0471

Article URL: https://journals.sumathipublications.com/article/article-1784653793646-658443824

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Authors

  1. Anishka Patel
    Junior Resident, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India
  2. Sinha R
    Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India
  3. Roushani SB
    Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India
  4. Bhalerao DS
    Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India
  5. Vaidya
    Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India
  6. Jain SM
    Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College, PIMS (DU), Loni, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a major public health concern in India, particularly in rural settings, where accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial for effective management. Although peripheral blood smear (PBS) examination remains the gold standard, immunochromatographic tests (ICT) offer a rapid alternative. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic performance and concordance of ICT in comparison with PBS in a rural tertiary care setting, alongside the prevalence, species distribution, and demographic and seasonal patterns of malaria. This retrospective observational study was conducted in a rural tertiary care hospital, in which 12,183 blood samples from febrile patients were analysed by both PBS and ICT. Of the total samples, 32 (0.26%) were positive by PBS and 31 (0.25%) by ICT. <em>Plasmodium vivax</em> was the predominant species (93.75%), whereas <em>P. falciparum</em> accounted for 6.25% of cases. A high level of concordance (96.9%) between PBS and ICT was observed, with a single discordant case. Most cases occurred in males aged 21–30 years and during the monsoon months (August–October). A marked decline in malaria prevalence was noted relative to previous institutional data (4.636% vs. 0.262%). ICT demonstrates high diagnostic concordance with PBS and serves as a valuable tool in resource-limited settings, while the declining prevalence reflects the impact of effective public health interventions.

Keywords

Immunochromatographic test; Malaria diagnosis; Peripheral blood smear; Plasmodium vivax; Rural health epidemiology

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