M. MayxayS. PukrittayakameeK. ChotivanichM. ImwongS. LooareesuwanN. J. WhiteMahidol University2018-09-072018-09-072001-01-01American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Vol.65, No.5 (2001), 588-592000296372-s2.0-0035208108https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/26576In Thailand, ∼ 8% of patients treated for vivax malaria are found subsequently to have coinfection with Plasimodium falciparum. A P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP-2) dipstick test was evaluated as a predictor of mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum in a prospective study of 238 patients admitted to the hospital with acute vivax malaria. Of these, 23 (10%) had subsequent development of falciparum malaria without reexposure. Patients with cryptic P. falciparum infection had a significantly lower mean (standard deviation) hematocrit than those with P. vivax alone: 29.6 (7.6%) versus 37.2 (6.4%) (P < 0.0001). Using microscopic appearance of P. falciparum after the start of treatment as the reference standard, the PfHRP-2 test was 74% sensitive and 99% specific in predicting mixed infections with subpatent P. falciparum parasitemia at presentation. The PfHRP-2 dipstick test may be a useful adjunct to microscopy in areas where mixed infections are common.Mahidol UniversityImmunology and MicrobiologyMedicineArticleSCOPUS10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.588