J. Mitra Malaria Card PFPV

Introduction
Malaria is a serious, sometimes fatal, parasitic disease characterized by fever, chills, and anaemia and is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. There are four kinds of malaria parasite that can infect human : Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. As per WHO estimation. in 2012, there were an approximately 207 million cases and an estimated 627 000 deaths . Approximately 90% of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and 77% occur in children under 5 years. Malaria remains endemic in 104 countries, and, while parasite-based diagnosis is increasing, most suspected cases of malaria are still not properly confirmed, resulting in over-use of antimalarial drugs and poor disease monitoring. The use of antigen detecting rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is a vital part of malaria case management forming the basis for extending access to malaria diagnosis. 

Intended useAdvantage mal card is a visual, rapid, qualitative and sensitive solid phase immuno chromatographic assay based on antigen detection and is as an aid in the qualitative diagnosis of infection with pLDH (Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase) antigen specific to Plasmodium falciparum and other Plasmodium Species (P. vivax / P. malariae / P. ovale) in human whole blood. The kit is intended for professional use and as a screening test. All reactive samples should be confirmed by a supplental assay like microscopic examination of thick smear and thin blood films. It assists trained competent users in detecting plasmodium infections. 

Principle (antigen-antibody reaction)
Advantage mal card is an immunoassay based on the “sandwich” principle. The conjugate contains colloidal gold conjugated to monoclonal anti-pan specific pLDH (Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase) antibody. The test uses monoclonal anti-P.f pLDH antibody (test line F) & monoclonal anti-Pan specific pLDH antibody (test line P) immobilized on a nitrocellulose strip. The test sample is added to the device. On addition of assay buffer, the red blood cells get lysed. If the sample contains P. falciparum and/or P. vivax/P. malariae/P. ovale, the colloidal gold antibody conjugate complexes the P.f. specific pLDH/Pan specific pLDH in the lysed sample. This complex migrates through the nitrocellulose strip by capillary action. When the complex meets the line of the corresponding immobilized monoclonal antibody, the complex is trapped forming a purplish pink band which confirms a reactive test result. Absence of a coloured band in the test region indicates a non-reactive test result. A red procedural control line should always develop at ‘C’ region to indicate that the test has been performed properly.