Evaluation of the ICT whole-blood antigen card test to detect infection due to Wuchereria bancrofti in Sri Lanka.

The sensitivity, specificity and cost effectiveness of an immunochromatographic card test (ICT, AMRAD) for the diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis were estimated against 2 standard parasitological techniques: thick blood film (TBF) and Nuclepore membrane filtration (NMF). Individuals were selected from endemic localities in the Western Province (n = 213) and from the non-endemic Central Province (n = 29) of Sri Lanka. Blood was collected between 21:00 and midnight. Sixty microlitre of non-heparinized blood, and 1 mL and 100 microL of heparinized blood were used in TBF, NMF and ICT, respectively. NMF was positive in 31.5% (67/213) of the endemic group, with a mean microfilaria (mf) count of 343/mL (range 8-1782, SD 422). All 67 were positive by ICT (sensitivity 100%), but only 63 by TBF (sensitivity 94%). Among the endemic population there were 12 who were mf negative but antigen positive by ICT. There were, however, no false positives among the non-endemic controls, indicating the possibility that the ICT may in fact be more sensitive and 100% specific. Thus, ICT filariasis test appears to be more effective (both sensitive and specific) than TBF or NMF in diagnosing infection in lymphatic filariasis. The direct unit recurrent costs of the 2 survey tools, TBF and ICT, were US$ 0.30 (Rs. 27/=) and US$ 2.75 (Rs. 248/=), respectively. The high cost of the ICT may be offset by other factors that are difficult to cost.