A cross-sectional survey of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in India using rapid diagnostic test and microscopy across 12 sites of varying transmission, 2023–2024
Issued Date
2025-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
14752875
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105020740907
Pubmed ID
41177884
Journal Title
Malaria Journal
Volume
24
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Malaria Journal Vol.24 No.1 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Dahal P., Singh-Phulgenda S., Nema S., Tripathi P.K., Malla W.A., Sinha D.P., Mohanty A., Chalageri V.H., Shrinivasa B.M., Singh S.P., Singh P.K., Singh K., Ranjha R., Baharia R.K., Chhajed R., Nain M., Das A., Kumar R.S., Gupta A., Rahi M., Flegg J.A., Nitika N., Dhorda M., Anvikar A.R., Guérin P.J., Bharti P.K. A cross-sectional survey of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in India using rapid diagnostic test and microscopy across 12 sites of varying transmission, 2023–2024. Malaria Journal Vol.24 No.1 (2025). doi:10.1186/s12936-025-05556-7 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/113043
Title
A cross-sectional survey of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in India using rapid diagnostic test and microscopy across 12 sites of varying transmission, 2023–2024
Author's Affiliation
Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Indian Council of Medical Research
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
School of Mathematics and Statistics
National Institute of Malaria Research India
Vector Control Research Centre India
WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network
Infectious Diseases Data Observatory
ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research
ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research
ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research
Modal Rural Health Research Unit Angara
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Indian Council of Medical Research
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
School of Mathematics and Statistics
National Institute of Malaria Research India
Vector Control Research Centre India
WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network
Infectious Diseases Data Observatory
ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research
ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research
ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research
Modal Rural Health Research Unit Angara
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: In India, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax remain in circulation. Accurate detection of the parasite species remains crucial for prompt initiation of treatment and reducing onward transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional study across 12 sites of varying malaria endemicities was conducted from September 2023 to April 2024. Febrile participants were tested for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy. Malaria positivity proportions along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were presented separately by parasite species. The diagnostic performance of the RDT was compared against microscopy. Results: A total of 10,290 febrile participants were tested by both RDT and microscopy: 1,516 (14.7%, 95% CI 7.7–21.8%) malaria cases were identified by RDT and 1,436 (14.0%, 95% CI 6.9–21.1%) by microscopy. Of the 1,516 RDT positives, 1,105 (72.9%) had P. falciparum mono-infection, 290 (19.1%) had P. vivax mono-infection, and 121 (8.0%) had P. falciparum and P. vivax mixed infections. The sensitivity and specificity of RDT were 95.0% [95% CI 94–96%] and 99% [95% CI 98–99%], respectively, for detecting P. falciparum mono-infection, 83% [95% CI 78–87%] and 100% [95% CI 99–100%] for detecting P. vivax mono-infection, and 88% [95% CI 80–93%] and 100% for detecting a mixed infection of P. falciparum and P. vivax. Overall, 43 (0.4%) participants who were RDT negative were found to have malaria on subsequent microscopic examination. Conclusion: Approximately 15% of the febrile participants tested were identified as malaria positive by RDT, of which nearly one-fifth were P. vivax mono-infections and 8% harboured P. falciparum and P. vivax mixed infections. Low sensitivity of the RDTs for identifying P. vivax underscores an urgent need for developing reliable diagnostics.