Comparison of parasite lactate dehydrogenase based immunochromatographic antigen detection assay (optimal) with microscopy for detection of malaria parasites.

This study was done to compare the ability of a newly developed rapid malaria test OPtiMAL, an immunochromatographic antigen detection assay for the diagnosis of malaria using parasite lactate dehydrogenase, against standard microscopy. Blood samples were obtained from 232 patients suspected of having malaria. A total of 122 samples (52.