Malaria antigen detection tests

Malaria antigen detection tests are a group of commercially available tests that allow the rapid diagnosis of malaria by people who are not otherwise skilled in traditional laboratory techniques for diagnosing malaria or in situations where such equipment is not available. There are currently over 20 such tests commercially available. None are currently as sensitive as a thick blood film, nor as cheap.

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OptiMAL®-IT

OptiMAL®-IT is manufactured by TCS Biosciences (based in Buckinghamshire, England) and works by detecting Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase. The test is capable of detecting 50 to 100 parasites per microlitre of blood and can distinguish between Plasmodium falciparum and non-falciparum species of malaria, it cannot distinguish between single and mixed infection. The manufacturer claims a sensitivity equivalent to a trained technician looking at a thin blood film for thirty minutes. Because the test only detects live parasites, it can be used to monitor response to treatment.

ParaCheck® pf

Paracheck® pf is manufactured by Orchid Biomedical Systems (based in Goa, India) and detects Plasmodium histidine rich protein-2. It cannot distinguish between Plasmodium falciparum and non-falciparum species of malaria.