RDT test: formats of tests

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RDT Test Formats

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Single test-band RDT tests This test format usually uses species-specific antibodies, usually recognising P.falciparum (the HRP2 antigen or Pf-LDH). The format offers particular advantages: Simple interpretation Lower production cost Stability (of HRP2) for storage and transport Use: The single band test detecting only P.falciparum is very useful in Africa, since in many areas infections with this species account for more than 95% of malarial infection. The test is particularly useful in more remote areas where technical expertise in microscopy and/or interprtation may be less available. However, this is at the cost missing other species. For this reason their use is limited to certain regions (particularly sub-Saharan Africa) where P.falciparum is the dominant malarial species (>95% of infections). Multi-band RDT tests These use two (or occasionally more) test bands together with a control band. Most often one band is a species-specific antibody that identifies the dominant (or most important) species for the selected region (generally P.falciparum but in saome areas P.vivax). The second band is most often a pan-malaria antibody. The format offers advantages: It provides the capability to detect infection with a second species The pan malaria antibody can provide a "back up" if the first band fails However, the limitations of this test form must be understood by users. In particular the poor sensitivity of pan-malarial antibodies for some species (P.ovale or P.malariae). Additional note: In some circumstances RDT tests have been adapted to overcome particular problems, some are described here: Emerging strategies and options