Can Malaria be tested through urine

The urine malaria test (UMT) is a recombinant monoclonal antibody-based test that detects P. falciparum-specific HRP-2, a poly-histidine protein or fragment present in the urine of febrile patients. 

Fyodor® UMT strip kit 

The Fyodor® UMT kit is a commercial product from Fyodor Biotechnologies Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of Fyodor Biotechnology Corp. (Baltimore, MD, USA). The kit is marketed by Geneith Pharmaceutical Limited in Nigeria. Each kit contains five malaria test strips, five urine sample collection cups, and the manufacturer’s instructions for use.6 Fyodor® UMT strips can be stored at temperatures between 2°C and 30°C; hence, there is no need for refrigeration. The kit has a shelf life of 24 months from the date of its manufacture. The UMT relies on clinical malaria infection commonly resulting in elevated levels of HRP-2 or its protein fragments in the urine, against which conjugated recombinant monoclonal antibody reagents have been developed. 6 This qualitative assay consists of a nitrocellulose membrane strip containing relevant antibody reagent and control, which are each immobilized at the specific individual site on the membrane. 6

The UMT strip was dipped into a fresh urine sample for approximately 2 minutes. The strip was then incubated in the foil pouch included in the kit for 20 minutes. Two visible lines appearing on the strip (test and control line) indicate a positive test result, and a single line indicates a negative result. If the control line did not appear or a darkly stained background obscured the test line, this was considered an invalid test and the test was repeated.