MALARIA ANTIGEN
1. In the gametogony stage, P.falciparum may not be secreted. Such carriers may show falsely negative result
2. This test is used to indicate therapeutic response. Positive test results 5-10 days post treatment indicate the possibility of a resistant strain of malaria
3. Test conducted on EDTA whole blood.
^Comments
Malaria is a protozoan parasitic infection, prevalent in the Tropical & Subtropical areas of the world. Four species of plasmodium parasites are responsible for malarial infections in humans viz. P.falciparum, P.vivax, P.ovale & P.malariae. Falciparum infections are associated with Cerebral malaria and drug resistance whereas vivax infection is associated with high rate of infectivity and relapse. Differentiation between P.falciparum and P.vivax is of utmost importance for better patient management and speedy recovery
