New diagnostic test for Elephantiasis

Lymphatic filariasis or commonly known as Elephantiasis is a mosquito borne disease which affects more than 100 million people in 80 countries. Researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia have developed a rapid test to detect the infection.

Wb rapid (TM): An immunochromatography test for the rapid and accurate detection of Wuchereria bancrofti filaria infection

Researchers:
Professor Rahmah Noordin
Rohana Abdul Rahman

Lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti affects more than 100 million people in 80 countries. This mosquito-transmitted disease results in symtoms that include fever, lymphatic & renal damage, adenolymphangitis, hydrocoele, chyluria, lymphoedema and elephantiasis.

Wb rapid (TM) is an immunochromatography-based rapid test for the detection of specific lgG, to W.bancrofti. It employs BmSXP recombinant antigen which is immobilized on a membrane strips. If specific antibodies are present in the test sample (serum/plasma/blood), it forms and antibody-antigen complex with the immobilized antigen; and subsequently detected by a dye conjugated antihuman lgG4, giving a pink-purplish coloured line/band. The control line contains goat anti-mouse lgG antibody which binds with the mouse anti-mouse lgG4 dye conjugate, and serves as an indication of proper migration plus reagent control. The test demonstrated sensitivity of 95-100% and specificity of 99-100%.

Wb rapid TM is a good diagnostic tool for
 The Global Program for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF)
 Patient diagnosis and follow-up post treatment
 Screening of foreign workers from endemic countries

For more information, contact
Professor Rahmah Noordin
Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM)
Universiti Sains Malaysia

(Contact details available to registered journalists)

Published: 05 Sep 2006

Contact details:

Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Minden Penang

++604-6533888 (Main Campus), ++609-7651704/00/11(Health Campus), ++604-5937788 (Engineering Campus)
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http://www.researchsea.com/html/experts.php/eid/201/research/rahmah_noor... Professor Rahmah Noordin http://www.usm.my/english/ Universiti Sains Malaysia http://www.who.int/lymphatic_filariasis/disease/en/ The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF)