Raymond A Smego, Asim Beg.
Rapid diagnostic modalities for Malaria.
Infect Dis J Jan ;10(1):29-30.

Newer, rapid diagnostic malaria tests include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based tests, quantitative buffy coat examination, acridine orange immunofluorescent staining, and several immunochromatographic assays. Fluorescent microscopy and nucleic acid detection techniques, however, require skills and equipment which are not universally available in many malaria-endemic countries. Recently introduced immuno capture methods, several of which are now commercially available and which can be performed in about 5 to 10 minutes, are based upon the detection of antigens derived from Plasmodia in lysed peripheral blood, and employ either a dipstick or test strip that have monoclonal antibodies directed against the target parasite antigen. These antigen capture techniques are easy to run, and interpretation does not require complex equipment or technical support. Thus, they are important breakthroughs in the qualitative detection of malaria parasites.

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