Malaria P.f./P.v./Pan Rapid Test Cassette

About the disease

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa (protists), which are intracellular parasites. It is mainly transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is widespread in many tropical and subtropical countries. Over 90% of cases occur in Africa, though it tends to also take place in Southeast Asia, the eastern Mediterranean, and parts of Central and South America.

Symptoms usually develop within 7-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, they may sometimes develop after several months and can often be non-specific. The first symptoms are as follows:

• high fever;
• chills;
• headaches;
• muscle and joint pain;
• gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite;
• difficulty breathing;
• general feeling unwell.

These symptoms may intensify and lead to serious complications such as metabolic acidosis, respiratory failure, impaired consciousness, severe anaemia, jaundice, multiple organ failure, coma and even death. Severe disease progress is more likely to occur in children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and patients infected with HIV. 

To prevent the disease, it is recommended to take anti-malarial medications, known as chemoprophylaxis, before travelling to regions where malaria is endemic. However, these measures do not substitute mosquito protection (e.g. repellents, appropriate clothes, mosquito nets on windows).

There is no vaccine against malaria.

Disease diagnosis using Malaria P.f./P.v./Pan Rapid Test Cassette

Malaria P.f./P.v./Pan Rapid Test Cassette is a quick immunochromatographic test, which provides a qualitative detection of antigens of four species: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae in whole blood (containing red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma).

The blood sample is taken from the patient by qualified medical personnel, which is authorised to carry out the test. The test results are read after 10 minutes.

The results are interpreted in accordance with the instructions included in the test kit. The doctor is responsible for deciding on further diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Who is Malaria P.f./P.v./Pan Rapid Test Cassette designed for?

Malaria P.f./P.v./Pan Rapid Test Cassette in whole blood is a useful tool for diagnosing malaria infection in patients with worrying symptoms, especially if they have been in regions where the disease is endemic and are likely to have been bitten by mosquitoes.  

IMPORTANT! As with all diagnostic tests, results must be interpreted taking into account the clinical symptoms observed in the patient. If symptoms persist despite negative results, it is advisable to carry out more tests using other diagnostic methods. The possibility of malaria infection remains even if the result is negative. Malaria P.f./P.v./Pan Rapid Test Cassette only indicates the presence of Plasmodium sp. (P.f., P.v., P.o., P.m.) antigens in the sample and should not be the sole criterion for diagnosing this disease.