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Aldolase - practicalities
Background:
Plasmodium aldolase (Paldolase) protein is an enzyme that forms part of glycolysis pathways in all malaria species. Since malaria parasites have specific forms, antibodies do not cross-react with human aldolase. Antibodies to these proteins may potentially recognise all species of malaria ”.
Use of pan-malarial aldolase in RDT tests
Outside of Africa, RDT tests often combine a species-specific with a pan-species antibody e.g. HRP2 and aldolase
Use in malaria testing
Since aldolase has the potential to detect any species it is attractive in diagnostic tests. However, although aldolase offers good sensitivity for the recognition of ‘’P.falciparum’’ and ‘’P.vivax’’ it is less effective in the detection of other species (particularly when parasite concentration is low).
The value of combination tests including a pan-malarial antigen is:
(1) A malarial species may be present that would not be detected by the species-specific antibody. The pan-malarial antibody may detect that species.
(2) If the species-specific antibody gives a false negative result (for example, gene deletion or prozone effect) then the pan-malarial antibody may still allow the infection to be detected.
In this regard both aldolase and malarial LDH should probably be considered to be equivalent.
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