Detection of Antigens in Urine of Patients with Acute Falciparum and Vivax Malaria Infections

Abstract

Using an antigen-capture, dot-blot assay, antigens were detected in the urine of 50 patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Antigens were also detected in 12/15 patients who had no detectable parasitemias 1–2 weeks after chemotherapy. By Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, four predominant antigens were identified with the following molecular masses (Mr) and isoelectric points (pI): antigen 1, 200 kDa, pI 6.4–6.27; antigen 2, 180 kDa, pI 5.2–4.8; antigen 3, 150 kDa, pI 5.5; antigen 4, 96 kDa, pI 5.1–4.8. These antigens were heat stable to 100°C for 5 min. Antigens were also detected in the urine of 35 patients with acute P. vivax infections by Western blotting and dot-blot analysis and 10/10 patients three weeks following chemotherapy. The antigens had Mr of 200, 170, and 130 kDa.