Minimising invasiveness in diagnostics: developing a rapid urine-based monoclonal antibody dipstick test for malaria

Trop Med Int Health. 2016 Oct;21(10):1263-1271. doi: 10.1111/tmi.12744. Epub 2016 Aug 22.

Abstract

Objective: To generate monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for developing a rapid malaria diagnostic urine-based assay (RUBDA), using Plasmodium-infected human urinary antigens.

Methods: Plasmodium-infected human urinary (PAgHU) and cultured parasite (CPfAg) antigens were used to generate mouse MAbs. The reactivity and accuracy of the MAbs produced were then evaluated using microplate ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting assay, microscopy and immunochromatographic tests.

Results: Ninety-six MAb clones were generated, of which 68.8% reacted to both PAgHU and CPfAg, 31.3% reacted to PAgHU only, and none reacted to CPfAg only. One promising MAb (UCP4W7) reacted in WBA, to both PAgHU and CPfAg, but not to Plasmodium-negative human urine and blood, Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni antigens nor measles and poliomyelitis vaccines.

Conclusion: MAb UCP4W7 seems promising for diagnosing Plasmodium infection. Urine is a reliable biomarker source for developing non-invasive malaria diagnostic tests. SDS-PAGE and MAb-based WBA appear explorable in assays for detecting different levels of Plasmodium parasitaemia.

Keywords: Malaria; Plasmodium; anticorps monoclonal; anticuerpo monoclonal; antigène sur bandelette; antígeno; dipstick antigen monoclonal antibody; malaria; paludisme; tira reactiva.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / urine*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / urine*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine*
  • Ghana
  • Humans
  • Malaria / urine*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plasmodium
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Urinalysis / methods*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Protozoan