Detection Of Plasmodium Falciparum Histidine Rich Protein Ii (Pfhrp2) In Saliva of Malaria Patients: Confirmatory Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed at improving the diagnostic capacity for malaria by detecting the presence of Plasmodium falciparum Histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) in saliva of malaria patients. The study objectives were to detect the presence of PfHRP2 in saliva of malaria patients and to determine the effectiveness of saliva as a diagnostic tool for malaria. The bio-molecule histidine-rich protein that is released by the intra- erythrocytic stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite offers certain specific characteristics that could potentially improve malaria diagnosis. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research designs that were used by researcher were descriptive, comparative designs. This study was carried out at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga teaching and referral hospital Kisumu County and the samples analyzed at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton Bill and Melinda Gates malaria laboratory. Purposive sampling method was used where samples were collected from 96 patients suspected to be having malaria on visiting specify the facility Jaramogi Oginga Odinga teaching and referral hospital in Kisumu. Statistical analysis of the ELISA test result, microscopy test and the patient data were performed using SPSS version 22. On detection of PfHRP2 in Saliva using ELISA75% of the respondents tested positive while only 25% tested negative. The statistical difference of malaria diagnosis between Elisa and Microscopy was tested using Chi square Test at 95% confidence level (0.05) level of significance where ( P>0.05). On a binary-decision basis, the ELISA agreed with microscopy with 88.5% sensitivity 100 % specificity and 94% accuracy.