Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40333915›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Comparing the diagnostic accuracy of the newly introduced and existing malaria tests in Northwest Ethiopia.

Tilahun Bizuayehu Demass, Belay Bezabih Beyene, Getasew Mulat Bantie, Melaku Tadege, Agumas Alemu Alehegn, Abraham Amsalu Berneh, Mihretu Jegnie, Mulat Addis Beshaw, Amare Alemu Melese, Wondwossen Amogne Degu

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tilahun Bizuayehu DemassDepartment of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Science, Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Belay Bezabih BeyeneAmhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Getasew Mulat BantieRegional Data Management Center for Health, Amhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5073-6767
Melaku TadegeRegional Data Management Center for Health, Amhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Agumas Alemu AlehegnAmhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5396-1735
Abraham Amsalu BernehAmhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Mihretu JegnieSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor Town, Ethiopia.
Mulat Addis BeshawDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Amare Alemu MeleseEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Wondwossen Amogne DeguDepartment of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, Addis Ababa University, College of Health Science, Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMalaria is an important public health issue in Ethiopia. Accurate malaria diagnosis plays a vital role in effective treatment. However, there is limited data on the diagnostic accuracy of the newly introduced rapid diagnostic test (LDH-based RDT) and existing diagnostic methods.

objectiveThis study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the LDH-based RDT and existing diagnostic methods among uncomplicated malaria patients, 2024.

methodsThe health-facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dembia and North Achefer districts of the Amhara region. A systematic sampling technique was employed to recruit 460 febrile patients. Each patient's blood sample was investigated for Plasmodium species by RDT, followed by microscopy by different laboratory professionals. The collected blood film slide was sent to the reference laboratory center, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, for confirmatory analysis. The diagnostic accuracy was assessed, and a kappa value > 0.6 was considered as having good agreement between diagnostic techniques.

resultsThe sensitivity and specificity of pLDH-based RDT were 99.6 and 100% compared to reference laboratory results. There was a very good consensus between pLDH-based RDT and blood film (Kappa: 0.97, p-value = 0.0001). There was also a good consensus between blood film at the local laboratory and pLDH-based RDT (Kappa: 0.748, p-value = 0.0001). However, there was the worst disagreement between clinical diagnosis, pLDH-based RDT, and blood film (Kappa range: -0.987 to -0.739).

conclusionThis study revealed that pLDH-based RDT and microscopy had higher accuracy as per the WHO recommendation standard. This study implied that clinical diagnosis of malaria must be supported either by RDT or microscopy.

Indexed as

Diagnostic Tests, RoutineMalariaAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHumansInfantMaleMicroscopyMiddle AgedSensitivity and SpecificityYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID40333915
PMCPMC12057885

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.