RDT test: antigens

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RDT Test antigens: review of advantages and disadvantages

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Malaria-species-specific antigens used in RDT tests Some protein antigens are expressed only by specific malaria species; these antigens can therefore be used to identify these species. Two protein antigens that meet these criteria are widely employed in RDT assays. These are: (1) Histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2): An antigen that is specific for P.falciparum - Click for details of HRP2 (2) Forms of lactate dehydrogenase that are specific for either P.falciparum or P.vivax Click for details of PfLDH or PvLDH Malaria pan-specific antigens used in RDT tests Other protein antigens are considered to be "pan specific". This means they are found in all malaria species that infect humans and can therefore be used to identify the presence of malaria, although without any species specificity. Again there are two protein antigens that are used for this purpose. These are: (1) Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase: An antigen epitopes present on LDH in all malaria species (P.panLDH) Click for details of pan-malarial LDH (2) Atigens on the parasite from enzyme aldolase that is found in all malarial species Click for details of pan-malarial aldolase