Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection

Also known as P. falciparum and Vivax Ag

₹462~~₹550~~ 16% Off

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation required

Understanding Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection

What is Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection?

The malarial falciparum and vivax antigen test detects malaria antigens in the blood sample. Malaria is an infectious disease which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is caused of infection is a species of the Plasmodium parasite. P. falciparum infections are associated with cerebral malaria and drug resistance whereas P. vivax infection is associated with a high rate of infectivity and relapse. Your doctor may recommend this test if you suffer from symptoms like fever, headache, shaking chills, and vomiting. A positive result indicates infection with the parasite while a negative result is suggestive of no infection.

What is Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection used for?

The Malarial Falciparum and Vivax Antigen test is done

If you have signs or symptoms suggestive of malaria-like fever with shaking chills, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, profuse sweating, and headache

As a part of fever panel

What does Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection measure?

The Malarial Falciparum and Vivax antigen test is a rapid diagnostic test which detects the presence of malarial antigen in the blood sample. Malaria is an infectious disease which is caused by a species of Plasmodium parasite. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito (female anopheles). The species which cause infections in humans include Plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium falciparum.

This malarial infection may rarely pass from a woman to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Also, the chances of the spread of infection are very low through blood transfusion, sharing of contaminated needles or syringes, and organ transplant.

When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasites enter into the blood and travel to the liver. After a person is infected it takes about 7-30 days for the eggs to mature. The parasites enter the red blood cells of a person where they multiply inside these cells. These cells burst within 48 to 72 hours which leads to the occurrence of symptoms of malaria.

The disease can relapse in case the infection is caused by P. vivax and P. ovale species. This is because these parasites can remain inoperative in the liver before they enter again into the blood and may take up to months and even years for the symptoms to appear.

If the malarial infection is not treated, it can cause severe illness and even death. The species likely to cause life-threatening disease is P. falciparum.

Interpreting Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection results

Interpretations

Positive test for Plasmodium Falciparum indicates infection with the same parasite while the negative test is suggestive of no infection
Positive test for Plasmodium vivax indicates infection with the same parasite while negative is suggestive of no infection

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection

Frequently Asked Questions about Malarial Antigen (Vivax & Falciparum) Detection

Q. Can Malaria occur through only by the bite of female anopheles mosquito?

No, it is not necessary that malaria can also be caused by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. Malaria can also occur after an organ transplant, by sharing needles or syringes, or after blood transfusion.

Q. How is the blood sample taken?

The healthcare provider takes a blood sample from the arm. The site from where the blood is to be withdrawn is cleaned with a swab of rubbing alcohol. This is then followed by inserting a small needle which has a tube attached to it for collecting blood. Once the sufficient blood for analysis is withdrawn, the needle is removed. The site is then covered with a gauze pad.

Q. Is there any risk associated with the withdrawal of blood sample procedure?

As such there is no risk but in few cases, bruising, bleeding, and infection at the puncture site can be seen. In very few cases, there can be swelling of the vein after the blood is withdrawn.

Q. Do negative results mean that malaria infection is not there?

No, negative results do not confirm that malaria infection is not present. These negative results might be due to the absence of malarial parasite in the prepared peripheral blood film. If your symptoms persist then your doctor may advise you a re-test to confirm the diagnosis.

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