Detection of glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme activity in Plasmodium falciparum infection

We describe the separation of an active glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH (NADP( +))] enzyme From the plasma of patients with P. falciparum infection using columns of sepharose anti-GDH (NADP(+)) of Proteus spp. The activity of thi s enzyme was also detected in P. falciparum culture supernatant. The parasi tic origin of this enzyme was suggested by western blot analysis using anti -P. falciparum culture supernatant and anti-whole parasite antibodies. The differential inhibition of the P. falciparum GDH (NADP(+)) indicates that s ome epitopes recognised by the antibodies in both preparations may be diffe rent. The determination of P. falciparum GDH (NADP(+)) activity could be de veloped into a specific technique for the diagnosis of falciparum malaria.