We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Rapid Diagnostic Test for The Detection of G6PD Deficiency Evaluated

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Jan 2020
Print article
Image: Design of the CareStart G6PD deficiency screening test and interpretation of the results:  Panel A, no color change for sample with deficient G6PD enzymatic activity; Panel B, distinct purple color for sample with normal G6PD enzymatic activity (Photo courtesy of Charles Darwin University).
Image: Design of the CareStart G6PD deficiency screening test and interpretation of the results: Panel A, no color change for sample with deficient G6PD enzymatic activity; Panel B, distinct purple color for sample with normal G6PD enzymatic activity (Photo courtesy of Charles Darwin University).
To reduce the risk of drug-induced hemolysis, all patients should be tested for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (G6PDd) prior to prescribing primaquine (PQ)-based radical cure for the treatment of vivax malaria.

The gold standard method for measuring G6PD activity is quantitative spectrophotometry, but this method is expensive and requires laboratory facilities that are often unavailable in malaria-endemic communities, especially in remote areas. The fluorescent spot test (FST) is a qualitative alternative; however, it also requires laboratory infrastructure and extensive training for reliable interpretation.

An international team of scientists led by the Charles Darwin University (Darwin, Australia) carried out a systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis assessed the utility of a qualitative lateral flow assay from CareStart Screening test for G6PD deficiency (CSG, Access Bio/CareStart, Somerset, NJ, USA) for the diagnosis of G6PDd compared to the gold standard spectrophotometry using kits from Trinity Biotech PLC (Wicklow, Ireland).

All of the studies included were undertaken between 2014 and 2018. Six studies were conducted in Southeast Asia, one in Africa, and one in the Americas. In total, three studies (four countries, 2,845 participants) assessed G6PD status from capillary blood and three from venous blood (three countries, 2,066 participants). In one study, CSG and spectrophotometry were performed on both venous and capillary samples, and in one study CSG was performed on both venous and capillary samples; however, spectrophotometry was only performed on capillary blood.

A total of 5,815 individual participant data (IPD) were available, of which 5,777 results (99.3%) were considered for analysis, including data from 3,095 (53.6%) females. Overall, the CSG had a pooled sensitivity of 0.96 and a specificity of 0.95. When the prevalence of G6PDd was varied from 5% to 30%, the unconditional negative predictive value (NPV) was 0.99, with a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and an LR− of 18.23 and 0.05, respectively. Performance was significantly better in males compared to females but did not differ significantly between samples collected from capillary or venous blood.

The authors concluded that the CSG performed well at the 30% threshold. Its high NPV suggests that the test is suitable to guide PQ treatment, and the high LR+ and low LR− render the test suitable to confirm and exclude G6PDd. In a comparison between Trinity spectrophotometry kits, considered for this analysis, and another spectrophotometry kit (Pointe Scientific, Canton, MI, USA), both assays showed a very good correlation. The study was published on December 13, 2019 in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine.

Related Links:
Charles Darwin University
Access Bio
Trinity Biotech PLC
Pointe Scientific


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Plasma Control
Plasma Control Level 1

Print article

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Exosomes can be a promising biomarker for cellular rejection after organ transplant (Photo courtesy of Nicolas Primola/Shutterstock)

Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies

Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The ePlex system has been rebranded as the cobas eplex system (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases

GenMark Diagnostics (Carlsbad, CA, USA), a member of the Roche Group (Basel, Switzerland), has rebranded its ePlex® system as the cobas eplex system. This rebranding under the globally renowned cobas name... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The revolutionary autonomous blood draw technology is witnessing growing demands (Photo courtesy of Vitestro)

Robotic Blood Drawing Device to Revolutionize Sample Collection for Diagnostic Testing

Blood drawing is performed billions of times each year worldwide, playing a critical role in diagnostic procedures. Despite its importance, clinical laboratories are dealing with significant staff shortages,... Read more