CyScope Fluorescent Microscopy Provides Prompt Diagnosis of Malaria

Proper diagnosis of malaria is critical for better case management and precise epidemiological assessment. Standard light microscopy is normally used to detect malaria. However, this method is time consuming and requires professional experience. A fluorescent microscopy utilizing the CyScope provides a better and quick alternative to light microscopy.

CyScope, Paracheck-Pf (lateral-flow test) and light microscopy were used to inspect malaria in 980 children and 552 women from urban and rural areas of Uganda. The final results were utilized to conduct a receiver operating characteristics analyses and to evaluate the diagnostic performance using light microscopy.

The results showed that fluorescent microscopy exhibited decreased specificity that resulted in high community frequency levels, when compared to those analyzed by light microscopy. The diagnostic sensitivity obtained was 86.7% in kids and 92.1% in women. Optimum performance was attained for higher parasitaemia with 86% specificity and 64.2% sensitivity.

Performing fluorescent microscopy with CyScope provides an affordable solution for diagnosing malaria, particularly in areas where there is lack of electricity.