Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-2 (of 2 Records) |
Query Trace: Reed CM[original query] |
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Stability testing of dried Plasmodium falciparum positive quality control samples for malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Liberia and Benin
Ramani S , Kohar HT , Pratt O , Denon YE , Reed CM , Thomas P , Powell SE , Aidoo M . Malar J 2020 19 (1) 288 BACKGROUND: Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are largely responsible for the gains made in the proportion of malaria cases confirmed with a parasitological test. However, quality assurance programs to support their use remain a challenge. A dried tube specimen (DTS) method was developed that showed potential for use as a stable source of quality control (QC) sample for RDTs and for use in external quality assessments or proficiency testing (PT). DTS was further assessed with focus on sample stability under field settings in Benin and Liberia. METHODS: DTS were prepared using Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 or W2 strains at concentrations of 1000, 500 or 0 parasites/µL and tested for baseline reactivity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta before shipping. In Benin and Liberia, DTS were stored under refrigeration in a reference laboratory (RL) or in health centres under ambient temperatures. Seven rounds of testing were performed at 4-week intervals during which DTS were tested on RDTs stored at the RL or at health centres. Observed DTS reactivity at the RL and health centres were compared to expected reactivity to determine DTS stability. DTS were also assembled into a PT panel and tested by health facility staff at the mid and end time-points of the study. Daily maximum and minimum storage temperatures for RDTs and DTS were recorded. RESULTS: In Benin, DTS, irrespective of storage conditions, produced the expected reactivity at all time points. However, evidence of degradation was observed at weeks 20 and 24 for DTS stored at ambient temperatures at the health centres and not those stored under refrigeration at the RL. In Liberia, sample degradation was observed starting at week 8 especially among DTS stored at the health facilities. The degradation was associated with prolonged storage of DTS under ambient temperature prior to study commencement and less than optimal storage temperatures at the RL. Use of DTS in a PT enabled identification of health worker errors in performing the tests. CONCLUSION: DTS is a feasible tool for use as QC material and for PT under field conditions. Long-term (> 5 months) storage of DTS requires refrigeration. |
Hot topic: medical tourism
Reed CM . Plast Surg Nurs 2010 30 (3) 187-90 Travel for the purpose of obtaining health care abroad has received a great deal of attention in the popular media recently- even Wikipedia has recently devoted a section to the practice. However, it is not the only form of "medical tourism." The term has also been applied to travel by healthcare professionals for the purpose of providing health care. The extent of either form of travel is not well chracterized, but the overarching issues for both types of travelers, their primary health-care providers, and travel medicine providers are outlined below. |
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