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Table 3 Prevalence of sub-microscopic P. falciparum infection by age-group

From: A comparison of thick-film microscopy, rapid diagnostic test, and polymerase chain reaction for accurate diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Age-groupa (n)

Median parasites/μL (range: Q1–Q3)

Test characteristic

PCR (+), TFM (−)

n (%)

PCR (+), RDT (−)

n (%)

RDT (+), TFM (−)

n (%)

0–5 (295)

12,405 (1500–300,000)

72 (28)

45 (17)

37 (14)

6–10 (106)

15,200 (3200–300,000)

34 (32)

12 (11)

27 (25)

11–16 (62)

8640 (3360–75,200)

16 (26)

5 (8)

13 (21)

≥ 17 (88)

721 (461–852)

6 (7)

3 (3)

7 (8)

Total (n = 551)

 

128 (23)

65 (12)

84 (15)

  1. PCR (+), TFM (−) = PCR positive but TFM negative
  2. PCR (+), RDT (−) = PCR positive but RDT negative
  3. RDT (+), TFM (−) = RDT positive but TFM negative
  4. Q1–Q3: 25% to 75% interquartile range
  5. TFM thick film microscopy, RDT rapid diagnostic test, PCR polymerase chain reaction
  6. aIn years
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Malaria Journal

ISSN: 1475-2875

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