Interpretation guide: MULTI BAND tests
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Multi-band RDT tests
| RESULT PATTERN 1 |
Failed test: No band appears in the control area (black arrow):
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 |
There has a valid control line (black arrow) and no bands appear in either the species specifc or pan malaria areas.
Most likely interpretation: No malaria parasites are present
Less likely but possible interpretations:
- Malaria infection is present, but is not detected because it is below the detection limit of the test
| RESULT PATTERN 3 |
The test has valid control line (black arrow) and has bands in the pan-specific area and the species specific area (red arrows)
A single specific species and is detected by specific and pan-malaria antigens (95%) There are two species present in the sample (5%) False positive result in both bands (least common cause)
| RESULT PATTERN 4 |
The test has valid control line (black arrow) and a band in the species-specific area only (red arrow)
Most likely interpretation: The species detected by the test is present and is the only malaria species infecting the individual
Less likely but possible interpretations:
- There is a dual-species infection, but the second species was not detected by the pan-specific band [ Co-infection with two species ]
- There is no active malaria, but patient recently received successful treatment and the antigen has not yet cleared [ Clearance of parasite antigens from blood ]
- The "specific band" is a false positive result (infrequent but observed) [ False positive reaction in RDT tests ]
| RESULT PATTERN 3 |
The test has valid control line (black arrow) and a band in the pan-specific area only (red arrow)
Most likely interpretation: A malaria infection is detected (pan band), but is not caused by the species detected by the specific antibody (Sp band)
Less likely but possible interpretations:
- The species detected by the specific band is present (as a single infection or dual infection), but has not been detected by the specific band [ prozone, mutation ]
- The patient recently received successful treatment, but the antigen has not yet cleared [ Clearance of parasite antigens from blood ]
- The "specific band" is a false positive result (infrequent but observed) [ False positive reaction in RDT tests ]
(3) No band appears
The most common cause is infection is present with a malaria species not detected by the specific antibody Possible alternatives: The specific band has failed (see causes above) but pan-malaria antigen still detects that species No malaria is present and the band in the pan-malaria area is a false positive (cross reaction)
(4) A band appears in both the species-specific and pan malarial area
The test has valid control line (black arrow) and a band in the pan-specific area only (red arrow)
A single specific species and is detected by specific and pan-malaria antigens (95%) There are two species present in the sample (5%) False positive result in both bands (least common cause)