Malaria Pf/Pan Test Kit

Purpose and Mechanism

The malaria Pf/Pan card is a rapid test tool for detecting histidine-rich protein II (HRP-II) antigen and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) in human blood. In areas where infections are mixed, this test can help distinguish between the Pf and non-Pf infection. Four types of parasites cause malaria in humans and animals: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. Malaria is a fatal, parasitic disease that can cause cerebral fever. The rapid test kit works on the principle of immunochromatography. The membrane of the card is coated with different monoclonal antibodies:

• For p. falciparum: Histidine-Rich Protein II (HRP II)
• For Pan (P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae): Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH)

When the specimen mixed with a buffer flows through the membrane, it binds to the colloidal gold conjugated to the specific antibodies. This complex becomes immobilized on the test line, producing a distinct line. For control, goat anti-mouse IgG antibodies are immobilized at the end of the membrane.

User Guide

• Remove the card from the pouch and place it on a flat surface.
• Fill 5 µl of whole blood into the sample well of the card.
• Add 3 drops (90 µl) of assay buffer to the buffer well.
• After 5 minutes of adding specimen and buffer, add one more drop of assay buffer for better results.
• Let the card sit for 20 minutes and then interpret the results.

Interpretation

• Negative: A single line on the control region indicates a negative result for malaria Pf/Pan.
• Positive Pf: If there are two lines, one on the Pf test region and one on the control region, then the result is positive for malaria Pf.
• Positive Pan: If there are two lines, one on the Pan test region and one on the control region, then the result is positive for malaria Pan.
• Mixed Infection: Along with a line on the control region, if there are lines on both Pf and Pan, the result is positive for both types, also known as a mixed infection.
• Invalid: If there is no line on the card, then it means the reagent has deteriorated or the procedure was conducted incorrectly.