Reagent kits and methods for detecting malaria parasites by two-steps surfactant-mediated hemolysis

摘要

Detecting a malaria parasite in a sample by treating specimen with first hemolytic agent having first surfactant, is new. The specimen is further treated with a second hemolytic agent having a second surfactant, which has a hemolytic activity higher than the first surfactant. Detection of malaria parasite in a sample involves: (a) releasing the malaria parasite by allowing an erythrocyte in a specimen to undergo hemolysis; (b) staining the released malaria parasite with a fluorescent dye to prepare a measurement sample; (c) detecting optical information from the measurement sample; and (d) distinguishing the malaria parasite based on the optical information obtained. The specimen is treated with a first hemolytic agent having a first surfactant and further treated with a second hemolytic agent having a second surfactant. The second surfactant has a hemolytic activity higher than the first surfactant. Independent claims are also included for: (1) an apparatus for automatically detecting a malaria parasite comprising: (a) a chamber for receiving a sample comprising a malaria parasite to prepare a measurement sample; (b) a flow cytometer for detecting fluorescent light information from the measurement sample; and (c) a control unit for distinguishing the malaria parasite based on the fluorescent light information; and (2) a reagent kit for detecting a malaria parasite comprising: (a) a first hemolytic agent containing a first surfactant; (b) a second hemolytic agent containing a second surfactant having a hemolytic activity higher than a hemolytic activity of the first surfactant; and (c) a fluorescent dye for staining the malaria parasite.