Sandhya Dhawan, Sabine Dittrich, Sonia Arafah, Stefano Ongarello, Aurelian Mace, Siribun Panapruksachat, Latsaniphone Boutthasavong, Aphaphone Adsamouth, Soulignasak Thongpaseuth, Viengmon Davong, Manivanh Vongsouvath, Elizabeth A Ashley, Matthew T Robinson, Stuart D Blacksell
BACKGROUND: Fever is the most frequent symptom in patients seeking care in South and Southeast Asia. The introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria continues to drive patient management and care. Malaria-negative cases are commonly treated with antibiotics without confirmation of bacteraemia. Conventional laboratory tests for differential diagnosis require skilled staff and appropriate access to healthcare facilities. In addition, introducing single-disease RDTs instead of conventional laboratory tests remains costly...
April 10, 2024: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases