Evaluation of malaria parasite screening procedures among Sudanese blood donors.

Objective: To compare the standard microscopic examination, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the immunochromatography test (ICT) to determine the best method for screening blood donors for malaria parasites in Sudan.

Methods: A total of 100 blood donors were screened for malaria parasites by standard microscopic technique, ICT, and PCR Blood films were examined microscopically using standard Giemsa staining techniques. Qurum (Canadian Company) malaria kits were used to perform the ICT.