Malaria News |
Buffer substitution in malaria rapid diagnostic tests causes false-positive results
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are kits that generally include 20 to 25 test strips or cassettes, but only a single buffer vial. In field settings, laboratory staff occasionally uses saline, distilled water (liquids for parenteral drugs dilution) or tap water as substitutes for the RDT kit's buffer to compensate for the loss of a diluent bottle. The present study assessed the effect of buffer substitution on the RDT results.
Replacement of the RDT kit's dedicated buffer by saline, distilled water and tap water can cause false-positive test results.
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