Light microscopy of stained blood films is still the mainstay of malaria diagnosis in many regions, but its pre-eminence is threatened by accurate and sensitive rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on immunochromatography which are now widely used in the field. In well-resourced regions, nucleic acid detection easily out performs microscopy and RDTs. This paper reviews the main in vitro methods for parasite detection and considers future trends in diagnostics, both for sophisticated laboratory settings and for field use.
