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How To Detect, Treat And Prevent Malaria?
Question: I want to understand the difference between the two attached reports. One is positive whereas the other one is negative. Is there any difference between the two tests?
Brief Answer:
Smear test is more specific.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.
First of all know that these are two different kind of test done for the same diasease that is Malaria.
One test is done by the doctor as he himself sees the Malaria Parasite under the microscope and reports as Positive ( this is the Thick smear test ). The other test PF Antigen is done by the machine which detects only a part of Malaria Parasite. So the chance of detection is high with PF Antigen test but still it may give false negative results while smear test is more specific and hence detected the Malaria Parasite.
Also the date of first test in which it is shown as Positive is 21st April while the second test which was done on 24th April is negative. If after the first test , patient has been given Anti Malarial Medication then by the time of second test these Malarial parasites would have died and hence not detected.
Hope this answers your query.
Any clarification feel free to ask .
Regards.
Smear test is more specific.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.
First of all know that these are two different kind of test done for the same diasease that is Malaria.
One test is done by the doctor as he himself sees the Malaria Parasite under the microscope and reports as Positive ( this is the Thick smear test ). The other test PF Antigen is done by the machine which detects only a part of Malaria Parasite. So the chance of detection is high with PF Antigen test but still it may give false negative results while smear test is more specific and hence detected the Malaria Parasite.
Also the date of first test in which it is shown as Positive is 21st April while the second test which was done on 24th April is negative. If after the first test , patient has been given Anti Malarial Medication then by the time of second test these Malarial parasites would have died and hence not detected.
Hope this answers your query.
Any clarification feel free to ask .
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Patient has not been given any medication between the two tests. On 21st April first test was done, then on 24th April again the test was done. No treatment was given to the patient between the two dates. I don't understand why there is such a difference in both the reports.
Brief Answer:
They are different tests.
Detailed Answer:
HI
I have explained in my previous reply.
These two are 2 different tests.
1. In Smear test blood is seen under the microscope by an experienced doctor for Malaria Parasite.
2. In Antigen test blood is analysed by machine ( not by doctor ) for a part of Malaria Parasite . Since it is a machine test there is a possibility of it going wrong sometimes .
Also I have assumed that the report given is authenticated and not a wrong report. If any of the report is wrong then it is human error and not the problem in test. If there is a doubt in the authentication of the report then I would recommend that in the Thick Smear for Malaria Parasite test along with the report they would have given a glass slide in which the test was done . Kindly take that glass slide to some other diagnostic centre and get it examined .
Hope this helps.
Any clarification feel free to ask .
They are different tests.
Detailed Answer:
HI
I have explained in my previous reply.
These two are 2 different tests.
1. In Smear test blood is seen under the microscope by an experienced doctor for Malaria Parasite.
2. In Antigen test blood is analysed by machine ( not by doctor ) for a part of Malaria Parasite . Since it is a machine test there is a possibility of it going wrong sometimes .
Also I have assumed that the report given is authenticated and not a wrong report. If any of the report is wrong then it is human error and not the problem in test. If there is a doubt in the authentication of the report then I would recommend that in the Thick Smear for Malaria Parasite test along with the report they would have given a glass slide in which the test was done . Kindly take that glass slide to some other diagnostic centre and get it examined .
Hope this helps.
Any clarification feel free to ask .
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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