Sources of variability in determining malaria parasite density by microscopy.
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 73(3): 593-8, 2005 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16172488
ABSTRACT
Enumeration of parasites by microscopic examination of blood smears is the only method available for quantifying parasitemia in infected blood. However, the sources and scale of error inherent in this technique have not been systematically investigated. Here we use data collected in outpatient clinics in Peru and Thailand to elucidate important sources of variation in parasite density measurements. We show that discrepancies between readings from two independent microscopists and multiple readings from a single microscopist are inversely related to the density of the infection. We present an example of how differences in reader technique, specifically the number of white blood cells counted, can contribute to the differences between readings. We discuss the implications of this analysis for field studies and clinical trials.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Malária Vivax
/
Malária Falciparum
/
Microscopia
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
País como assunto:
America do sul
/
Asia
/
Peru
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article