|
Test ID: RMAL
|
|
Rapid Malaria Antigen Detection Test
|
|
|
|
Useful For
|
Rapid qualitative detection of malaria infection in patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of malaria. Used for screening to support urgent clinical decision making prior to confirmatory microscopy.
Detection of Plasmodium Falciparum and non-Falciparum Plasmodium species (P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae).
|
|
Method name and description
|
Immunochromatographic membrane assay (lateral flow test) that uses monoclonal antibodies to detect:
- HRP-2 antigen specific to plasmodium falciparum
- Pan-malarial antigen common to all human malaria species
|
|
Clinical information
|
Malaria is potentially life-threatening parasitic infection transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, therefore early detection is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality and enabling timely clinical intervention.
Negative test results do not definitively exclude malaria, particularly in cases of low parasitemia or early infection. Microscopy confirmation is required when clinically indicated.
|
|
|
Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
|
3 ml whole blood in EDTA tube or as part of CBC specimen, obtained at the time of patient admission, irrespective of the periodicity fever.
|
|
Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
|
EDTA anticoagulated fresh whole blood with adequate specimen identification.
Sample is best taken during or immediately after an attack since this will probably contain sufficient amount of the parasite to be readily identified.
|
|
Relevant clinical information to be provided
|
- Recent travel history
- Recent blood transfusion
- Previous history of infection/treatment for malaria.
- Relevant hematological abnormality (e.g., anemia, thrombocytopenia).
|
|
Storage and transport instructions
|
|
|
|
Specimen Rejection Criteria
|
- Clotted/hemolyzed sample.
- Error in labelling/unlabeled specimen.
- Wrong collection container.
- Insufficient volume
- Leaking or contaminated container.
|
|
|
Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
|
|
Result
|
Interpretation
|
Notes
|
|
Negative
|
No malaria detected
|
Does not rule out early or low-level infection
|
|
Positive
|
Malaria detected
|
Indicates Plasmodium species; follow-up may be needed
|
Note:
- Negative results do not fully rule out malaria; confirm with microscopy if clinically suspected.
- Positive samples for Plasmodium Falciparum and non-Falciparum species are relayed immediately to the caregiver and result comment will be added in the comment section.
All positive samples referred to Hematology lab for confirmation, species identification, and parasitemia percentage calculation.
|
|
Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
|
Timing of the sample/specimen collection, storage and transportation. (Sample is best taken during or immediately after an attack since this will probably contain sufficient amount of the parasite to be readily identified). Age of the specimen, storage and transport temperature.
|
|
Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
|
STAT: 1 hour
Test performed daily
Specimen is retained for 2 Days at 2-8 °C.
|
|
|
