Table 3 The differences in parasite detection amongst the two methods, using PCR as the gold standard
Variable | HIV+ | Minimum parasite density/µl | HIV− | Minimum parasite density/µl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RDTa | True positive | 5 | 19,608 | 44 | 53,846 |
False positive | 0 | – | 0 | – | |
Total test positive | 5 | 19,608 | 44 | 53,846 | |
False negative | 1 | 17,087 | 12 | 11,107 | |
True negative | 144 | – | 195 | – | |
Total test negative | 145 | 207 | |||
Microscopy | True positive | 6 | 19,201 | 50 | 53,121 |
False positive | 0 | – | 0 | – | |
Total test positive | 6 | 19,201 | 50 | 53,121 | |
False negative | 0 | – | 6 | 21 | |
True negative | 144 | – | 195 | – | |
Total test negative | 144 | 201 | |||
PCR | Gold standard | 6 | 19,608 | 56 | 53,846 |