Use of a three-band HRP2/pLDH combination rapid diagnostic test increases diagnostic specificity for falciparum malaria in Ugandan children

Table 2 Clinical and prognostic features of microscopy negative (N = 10) and microscopy positive (N = 169) patients enrolled in clinical trial with all three bands positive on RDT ¹

	Microscopy negative (N = 10)	Microscopy positive (N = 169)	P value
Parasite density (geometric mean, range)	0	17,700 (80–696,000)	-
Duration of fever prior to presentation (days), median (IQR)	3.5 (2.0-6.0)	3.0 (2.0-4.0)	0.78
Prostration, n/N (%)	8/10 (80)	155/169 (92)	0.22
Coma, n/N (%)	5/10 (50)	101/169 (60)	0.74
Convulsions, n/N (%)	8/10 (80)	135/169 (80)	1.0
BCS, median (IQR)	3 (2–4)	2 (2–3)	0.33
Deep breathing, n/N (%)	2/10 (20)	84/169 (50)	0.10
LODS², median (IQR)	2 (1–2)	2 (1.5-3)	0.067
pH <7.35³, n/N (%)	2/9 (22)	40/137 (29)	1.0
Lactate > 5 mmol/L³, n/N (%)	2/10 (20)	57/161 (35)	0.50
Base deficit > 8 mmol/L³, n/N (%)	4/9 (44)	65/137 (47)	1.0

¹One additional patient was diagnosed with P. ovale based on microscopy, but PCR identified P. falciparum mono-infection.
²Lambaréné Organ Dysfunction Score.
³pH < 7.35[20], lactate > 5 mmol/L and base deficit > 8 mmol/L[21] (lactic acidosis) have been identified as markers of poor prognosis in severe malaria.

ISSN: 1475-2875