Article
Use of magneto-optical GAZELLE® diagnostic device in detecting Malaria in pediatric patients presenting with fever at District Hospital in Lake Victoria Region, Tanzania
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Authors
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Donatus Cordier
- Center of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| Published: | May 10, 2023 |
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Outline
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Question: Efficacy of new PoC diagnostic tools in detecting malaria infections, compared to established method of lateral flow Rapid Detection Tests and mPCR.
Background: Acute mosquito-borne febrile diseases, like Malaria, are a serious threat for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Severely limited epidemiological data and little access to affordable, easy-to-use diagnostic tools can lead to treatment mistakes. These dynamics lead to concerns of larger health care, financial, and logistic burdens for communities. Securing access to advanced PoC diagnostics could be a crucial step on the way to better management of diagnosis and treatment of Malaria.
Methods: From 10/22 to 03/23, 115 children presenting with fever at Sengerema Designated District Hospital were included in the study. Medical history, clinical measurements, prescribed medication were documented and a whole-blood sample was obtained. Lateral-flow Malaria and Dengue RDTs (MRDT, DRDT), as well as the GAZELLE® Malaria test (GMT), were performed on-site. The GAZELLE® test exposes a diluted whole-blood sample to a magneto-optical detection array. Results are shown on a screen as qualitative, colour coded positive/negative results. All samples will be further analysed at University Medicine Mainz in Germany, using a specifically developed m-PCR-ELISA-protocol, differentiating Plasmodium spp. and 8 different arboviral pathogens.
Results: Research currently ongoing, preliminary results follow. Final results presented at event. So far, 83 children have been included. Preliminary results available for 49 children. 38/49 (77.5%) were = 5 years old. 17/49 (34.7%) of MRDTs were positive. All 17 samples showed a positive GMT result as well. Additionally, 3/32 (9.3%) samples with negative MRDT, had a positive GMT result. So far, all DRDTs were negative. 32/49 (65.3%) patients received antibiotics, 20/49 (40.8%) received anti-malarial medication. 3/49 (6.1%) patients received anti-malarials without having a positive malaria test result.
Discussion: Research ongoing, preliminary discussion follows. Final discussion presented at event. As the results show, mosquito-borne infections, like Malaria, continue to be a frequent cause of fever in children. At the study site, MRDTs are, besides microscopy, the only available diagnostic tool. Due to constraints regarding cost, time and staff skill level, treatment decisions are almost exclusively based on MRDT results. False-positive or false-negative MRDT results are possible. The GAZELLE® provides at least the same sensitivity/specificity as MRDTs. These results justify a further evaluation of new PoC diagnostic tools for future implementation in clinical settings to improve diagnosis and treatment of Malaria infections.
