Comparative study of intradermal smear microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant women
Date
2010
Authors
Okusanya, BO
Eigbefoh, JO
Okpere, EE
Ohiosimuan, O
Inyang, NJ
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Objectives: A comparative study of intradermal smear in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant
women. Venous blood served as the control.
Patients and methods: Fifty consecutive symptomatic pregnant women were recruited. Thick films of both
venous and intradermal blood were examined. Questionnaires were used to determine patients' preferences for
the two techniques. Tests of statistical significance were done with Fisher exact and Yates correlation
coefficient at 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates were used to assess the
validity of intradermal smear.
Results: Intradermal smear more frequently diagnosed malaria parasitaemia than peripheral venous blood
(66% vs 56%). This was statistically significant (P value: 0.0065). The sensitivity of intradermal smear was
85.7% while the positive predictive value was 77.4%. The accuracy rate was 76.7%. The technique of
intradermal blood collection was preferred by28%of women.
Conclusion:Intradermal smear is useful in malaria diagnosis in pregnancy and may be an additional
evaluation tool for persistent fever in pregnancy.
Description
Keywords
Intradermal smear, malaria in pregnancy, malaria diagnosis
Citation
Okusanya BO, Eigbefoh JO, Okpere EE, Ohiosimuan O, Inyang NJ. Comparative study of intradermal smear microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria in symptomatic pregnant women. Niger J Clin Pract 2010; 13(4):427- 430.