Abstract INTRODUCTION: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for detecting Plasmodium antigens have become increasingly common worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Immuno-Rapid Malaria Pf/Pv RDT in detecting Plasmodium vivax infection compared to standard thick blood smear (TBS) under microscopy. METHODS: Hundred and eighty-one febrile patients from the hospital’s regular admissions were assessed using TBS and RDT in a blinded experiment. RESULTS: RDT showed a sensitivity of 98.9%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 99.5% for P. vivax infection when compared to TBS. CONCLUSIONS: The RDT is highly accurate, making it a valuable diagnostic tool for P. vivax infection.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: In the Brazilian Amazon, malaria infections are primarily caused by Plasmodium vivax. The only drug that kills the hypnozoite form of P. vivax is primaquine, thereby preventing relapse. However, treating glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient individuals with primaquine can lead to severe hemolysis. G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) affects approximately 400 million people worldwide, most of whom live in malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, clinicians need tools that can easily and reliably identify individuals with G6PDd. This study estimated the accuracy of the Carestart(tm) G6PD rapid test (Access Bio) in the diagnosis of G6PDd in male participants with and without P. vivax acute malaria. METHODS: Male participants were recruited in Manaus. Malaria diagnosis was determined by thick blood smear. G6PD quantitative analysis was performed spectro photometrically at a wave length of 340nm. The Carestart(tm) G6PD test was performed using venous blood. Genotyping was performed for individuals whose samples had an enzyme activity less than 70% of the normal value. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-four male participants were included in this study, of whom 320 had a diagnosis of P. vivax malaria. In individuals with enzyme activity lower than 30% (n=13), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the Carestart(tm) G6PD test were as follows: 61.5% (95%CI: 35.5%-82.3%), 98.3% (95%CI: 97.0%-99.1%), 42.1% (95%CI: 23.1%-63.7%), and 99.2% (95%CI: 98.2%-82.3%), 98.3% (95%CI: 97.0%-99.1%), 42.1% (95%CI: 23.1%-63.7%), and 99.2% (95%CI: 98.2%-99.7%), respectively. Increases in sensitivity were observed when increasing the cut-off value. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low sensitivity, Carestart(tm) G6PD remains a good alternative for rapid diagnosis of G6PDd in malaria-endemic regions.

RESUMO Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o crescimento e sobrevivência de sete espécies arbóreas nativas em diferentes tratamentos, em uma área degradada na Reserva da COPASA (Juramento, MG). Para tal, foram utilizados aproximadamente 1,2 ha da área, onde foram plantadas 899 mudas, de sete espécies nativas (Anadenanthera colubrina, Copaifera langsdorffii, Dilodendron bipinatum, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Pterogyne nitens, Schinopsis brasiliensis e Senegalia polyphylla), acompanhadas durante 24 meses. A área foi dividida em cinco parcelas de 0,24 ha, que representaram os seguintes tratamentos: (T1) parcela semeada com capim (Brachiaria sp.); (T2) parcela onde as covas foram tratadas com condicionador de solo; (T3) parcela semeada com capim consorciado com leguminosa (Cajanus cajan); (T4) parcela semeada com leguminosa; e (T5) controle. A porcentagem de mortalidade foi maior no T2 e menor no T3, sendo as espécies C. langsdorffii (43,66%) e S. brasiliensis (11,64%) aquelas com maior e menor porcentagem de mortalidade, respectivamente. O crescimento (altura e diâmetro) das mudas foi maior no T2 (24,32 ± 26,05 cm e 0,51 ± 0,37 mm, respectivamente) e menor no T1 (10,82 ± 22,57 cm e 0,26 ± 0,27 mm; respectivamente). As espécies com maior crescimento em altura foram A. colubrina e S. polyphylla, já D. bipinatum e S. brasiliensis apresentaram maior crescimento em diâmetro. Pterogyne nitens apresentou o menor crescimento, além de alta mortalidade, mostrando baixa capacidade de estabelecimento em ambientes degradados.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the growth and survival of seven native tree species in different treatments in a degraded area at COPASA Reserve (Juramento, MG). Approximately 1.2 ha area was used, where 899 seedlings were planted of seven native species (Anadenanthera colubrina, Copaifera langsdorffii, Dilodendron bipinatum, Miracrodruon urundeuva, Pterogyne nitens, Schinopsis brasiliensis and Senegalia polyphylla) followed for 24 months. The area was divided into five plots of 0.24 ha, which represented the following treatments: (T1) plot sown with grass (Brachiaria sp.); (T2) plot where the pits were treated with soil conditioner; (T3) plot sown with grass and legumes (Cajanus cajan) together; (T4) plot sown with legumes; and (T5) control. The mortality percentage was higher in T2 and lower in T3, and the species C. langsdorffii (43.66%) and S. brasiliensis (11.64%) were the ones with higher and lower mortality rate, respectively. The growth (height and diameter) of seedlings was higher in T2 (24.32 ± 26.05 cm and 0.51 ± 0.37 mm; respectively) and lowest in T1 (10,82 ± 22,57 cm and 0,26 ± 0,27 mm; respectively). The species with the largest growth in height were A. colubrina and S. polyphylla, and D. bipinatum and S. brasiliensis showed the highest growth in diameter. Pterogyne nitens showed the lowest growth, and highest mortality, presenting low ability to establish in degraded environments.