Interpretation guide: SINGLE BAND tests

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RESULT PATTERN 1

No band appears in the control area (black arrow)

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Irrespective of whether any other bands are present, this is always an invalid test: do not interpret. Report as failed test
Action:

• Repeat the test
  
• Consider the reasons for test failure

RESULT PATTERN 2

The test has valid control line (black arrow) and an additional band in the species-specific area (red arrow)

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Most likely interpretation: The species detected by the test is present and is the only malaria species infecting the individual

Less common but possible interpretations:

• There is a dual-species infection (a second species cannot be detected by single band kits)
• The patient recently received successful treatment, but the antigen has not yet cleared
• The "specific band" is a false positive result (infrequent but observed)

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RESULT PATTERN 3

The test has valid control line (black arrow) but there is no band in the species-specific area (red arrow)

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Most likely interpretation: the species detected by the test is not present

Possible alternatives:

• A faint band was present but not seen by observer*
• The species is present but not detected due to low parasite concentration (link to reasons)
• The species is present is but not detected for technical reasons
• The species is present, but there is gene deletion of the target antigen (HRP2 tests)
• The species is present but exceeds test capacity due to very high parasite Pyrome effect (mainly HRP2 tests)