Open Journal of Clinical Diagnostics, 2012, 2, 70-75 OJCD http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojcd.2012.24016 Published Online December 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojcd/ ) Sensitivity and specificity of five malaria rapid diagnostic kits used in south-south region of Nigeria Seto Aladenika 1 , Mirabeau Tatfeng 2 , Gilbert Nwobu 1 , Eguagie Osakue 3 , Alfred Ehiaghe 1 , Joy Imuetinya Ehiaghe 4 , Maureen Uchechukwu Okwu 1 , Augustina Isioma Ikusemoro 1 1 Igbinedion University Okada, Okada, Nigeria 2 Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria 3 Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital Okada, Okada, Nigeria 4 Laho Medical Center, Benin City, Nigeria Email: setoalade@yahoo.com , youtchou@yahoo.com , osakueosareniro@yahoo.com , fredleo2547@yahoo.com , mokwus@gmail.com , isiotyn@yahoo.com Received 27 September 2012; revised 22 October 2012; accepted 29 October 2012 ABSTRACT Sensitivity and specificity of five commonly used ra- pid malaria test kits in South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria were analyzed, namely Plasmotest (Biotech International, Germany), Malariatest (Acon Diagnos- tic, USA), AcumPF (Acumen, China), PF test (Di- aspot, Indonesia) and Malaria P.f. (Global, USA). A total of 200 positive malaria blood sample using mi- croscopy as gold standard and 200 negative were ob- tained from adult and children. All the kits were tested against these gold standards as directed by the manufacturers. Of the 100 positive gold standard used from children sample, 96% sensitivity were re- corded for Biotech, Acon and Global 97%, while Acumen and Diaspot had 99% and 98% respectively. The the highest Specificity was recorded with Biotech 99% both Acumen and Diaspot had 97% specificity. In adult blood sample, there was general reduction in the sensitivity of the test kits. We obtained Sensitivity of 30% with Biotech, 46% with Acon, Global 73%, Diaspot 75%, and Acumen 78%. Considering the increasing influx of MRDT’s into the country, and from the result obtained from this study, there is need for control agensis to ensure that diagnostic test kits be reevaluated before introduction into Nigeria mar- ket. Keywords: Malaria; Rapid Malaria Kit; Sensitivity; Specificity 1. INTRODUCTION Malaria is an acute systemic illness caused by infection with Plasmodia species all of which are transmitted to humans by female Anopheles species mosquitoes. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality with an estimated 300 to 800 million clinical cases of malaria and 1 to 3 million deaths due to malaria annually in the tropics and subtropics [1]. Malaria kills 1 child every 30 seconds and 3000 children less than 5 years every day [2]. Malaria is the most significant public health problem in Nigeria. It accounts for 25% of under-5 mortality and 30% childhood mortality and 11% maternal mortality [2]. At least 50% of the population will have at least one episode of malaria annually while children that are aged below 5 years (about 24 million) will have 2 to 4 attacks of malaria annually [3]. Malaria is currently endemic in more than 100 countries world- wide, which in return are visited by more than 125 million travelers annually. P. falciparum is found in sub- Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian sub- continent as well as in South America, Haiti, the Do- minican Republic, Jamaica (where isolated cases have been recently reported), and areas of Oceania [4]. P. malariae and P. ovale are present in sub-Saharan Africa. P. vivax is prevalent in areas of Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Central and South America [4]. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is key to effective manage- ment of malaria. Due to its global impact, the development of diagnostic strategies, that will be effective not only in resource-limited area, where malaria has large burden on society, but also in developed nations, where expertise in malaria diagnosis is often lacking, should be encouraged [5,6]. In order to prevent morbidity and mortality, accu- rate diagnosis of malaria is necessary which will also reduce the misuse of antimalaria. New rapid diagnostic techniques have been developed and evaluated widely in recent years, but the rapid introduction, withdrawal, and modification of commercially available products, variable quality control in manufacturing; and potential decrements in test performance related to the stability of stored test kits have rendered these review largely obsolate [7-9]. OPEN ACCESS