Diagnostic challenges of histidine-rich protein 2-based rapid diagnostic tests due to pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in asymptomatic malaria in Tanzania

Abstract

The findings support the continued effectiveness of HRP2-based RDTs in detecting asymptomatic P. falciparum infections in Tanzania, despite the presence of some pfhrp2/3 gene deletions. However, the potential increase in deletion prevalence and the limitations of cross-sectional data highlight the need for ongoing molecular surveillance. Collectively, these findings provide a critical foundation for sustained surveillance and for clarifying the epidemiological significance of asymptomatic malaria in Tanzania.