Feature | Ideal specification | Comments |
---|---|---|
Output | Level of G6PD deficiency | In the absence of a consensus a quantitative read out may be most appropriate. In the absence of a consensus a qualitative read out may be controversial. |
Use case | On patients with confirmed malaria infection. | This is an additional cost to malaria case management. |
User | Someone who performs malaria RDTs or microscopy. | A quantitative read-out could come from a reader or scanner. |
Sensitivity and Specificity | Must accurately classify all patients with G6PD levels below a pre-defined cut-off. No patients with potentially dangerously low G6PD levels should be misclassified as normal. | It is unclear on what the suitable cut-off should be. Too low and the risk of haemolysis increases. Too high primaquine is denied to more patients who need it. |
Environmental tolerance | 25-38°C, 40-90% humidity | Enzyme activity is extremely temperature sensitive. |
Result read window | < 20 minutes | Technically challenging for an enzyme reaction. |
Specimen type | Finger stick | Currently very limited data with finger stick specimens. |