Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection caused by several species of Plasmodium. It is prevalent worldwide in subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Symptoms include fever and headache but can proceed to coma and death. The majority of deaths are caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
During the blood stage of infection, P. falciparum secretes large quantities of a glycoprotein termed histidine-rich protein II (HRP II). Detection of HRP II in serum or plasma correlates with active parasitaemia.
ViroStat has released a new set of monoclonal antibodies to the HRP II protein of P. falciparum. These antibodies should be useful to researchers and those needing to develop rapid tests for this protein. A data sheet is available to download from the website below.
www.virostat-inc.com