Malaria is a life-threatening disease which is caused by the protozoon Plasmodium spieces. The transmission is mediated by the Anopheles mosquito, but can occur via blood transfusion also. Humans can be infected by four different species of Plasmodium: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae.

The Malaria infection induces the production of specific antibodies. In general they can be detected within some days after the occurrence of the parasites in the blood. The concentration of the specific antibodies is proportional to the intensity and duration of infection. The detection of antibodies is more sensitive than the direct detection of the pathogen and independent of the status of the infection. In humans who are infected for the first time the level of the specific antibodies decreases fast after recuperation. In contrast the antibody level decreases slowly (within 2 – 3 years) in re-infected persons who move into non-endemic areas.

Our new malaria antibody assay is a fast and sensitive enzyme immunoassay for the detection of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against Plasmodium spp.

The microplate is coated with recombinant antigens of P. falciparum and P. vivax. P. ovale and P. malaria are also detected due to the antigenic similarity between the different Plasmodium species.

The Malaria ELISA is intended for the qualitative determination of antibodies against Plasmodium in human serum or plasma (citrate).

PRINCIPLE OF THE ASSAY

The qualitative immunoenzymatic determination of antibodies against Plasmodium is based on the ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique.

Microtiter strip wells are precoated with Plasmodium antigens to bind corresponding antibodies of the specimen. After washing the wells to remove all unbound sample material horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labelled anti-human IgG and IgM conjugate is added. This conjugate binds to the captured Plasmodium -specific antibodies. The immune complex formed by the bound conjugate is visualized by adding Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate which gives a blue reaction product. The intensity of this product is proportional to the amount of Plasmodium -specific antibodies in the specimen. Sulphuric acid is added to stop the reaction. This produces a yellow endpoint colour. Absorbance at 450 nm is read using an ELISA microwell plate reader.

For more information and package insert contact us on info@malariaghana.com or call direct line 0302-205078 (dial FREE from all Vodafone lines).

Malaria Rapid Diagnostics (RDT)

We provide various malaria rapid tests using HRP2 and/or pLDH antigens packed as individual tests. These can be used outside clinical environment and in remote locations for outreach program.

* Each sack contains test device, lancet, buffer, pipette and alcohol swab.

CareStart malaria rapid test procedure:

** Our CareStart rapid test is listed by WHO, CE certified, FDA approved and registered by FDB and confirmed as one of the best in Ghana by Reference Laboratory at Korle-Bu, Accra.