Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection Test

Malarial Antigen test performed to confirm or detect Malaria and also after the treatment or during the treatment of Malaria.

Your doctor may recommend malarial antigen test for you if you show the signs of malaria. The symptoms include:

• Shaking chills that can be moderate to severe
• High fever
• Profusely sweating
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen
• Diarrhoea
• Anemia
• Muscle and Joint pain

Malarial Antigen test is performed on a sample of blood to measure the level of Malarial Antigen in the blood

The test is useful for the timely diagnosis of malaria. Common symptoms are high grade fever with chills, shivering, jaundice, nausea vomiting and if very severe convulsions and mental confusions.  If left untreated malaria can lead to various complications like kidney and liver damage, internal bleeding and also neurological affections.  

The test measures the presence or absence of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum antigens in the blood smear.

The test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer. 

Plasmodium Falciparum Antigen: A positive result indicates malarial infection. False positives may be seen due to cross reactivity  
Negative result indicates the absence of Plasmodium falciparum Antigen.  
Plasmodium Vivax Antigen: A positive result indicates malarial infection. False positives may be seen due to cross reactivity  
Negative result indicates the absence of Plasmodium vivax Antigen.