Evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic test for the diagnosis of intestinal protozoan infections among patients attending a rural outreach outpatient department in Northern India.
Trop Doct
; 54(2): 108-111, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38130150
ABSTRACT
Despite great efforts, intestinal protozoan infections remain a significant healthcare concern worldwide. Although many point-of-care (POC) tests are increasingly being used, microscopic examination of stool specimens remains the mainstay for their diagnosis, especially in resource-limited settings. We assessed the utility of rapid POC tests based on immunochromatography among patients from rural Northern India. A total of 78 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of nine specimens that tested positive for Giardia duodenalis on microscopy, an immunochromatographic test (ICT) could detect only five (55.55%). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was demonstrated in two specimens on microscopy, both of which were missed by ICT. Its overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value were 50%, 98.5%, 83.3%, and 93%, respectively. Its performance was considered unsatisfactory. Although ICT-based tests provide a relatively rapid and less labor-intensive alternative, they should be used to supplement and not replace stool microscopy.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
3_ND
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Protozoan Infections
/
Entamoeba
/
Entamoeba histolytica
/
Entamoebiasis
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Trop Doct
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article