Lab test · Infection
Kala-azar Test (rK39 Rapid Antibody Test)
Kala-azar detection
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report the same day
- Home collection
What this test is for
Kala-azar detection
Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is a parasitic infection spread by the bite of infected sandflies. It affects the spleen, liver and bone marrow and causes a long-lasting fever, weight loss, a swollen spleen and anaemia; the name means black fever because the skin can darken. The rK39 rapid test detects antibodies against the parasite and, together with typical symptoms, is the main test used to diagnose kala-azar in Bangladesh.
Why a doctor may order it
- A fever lasting two weeks or more that has no other explanation
- A swollen spleen or tummy, with weight loss and tiredness
- Living in or visiting an area where kala-azar occurs, such as parts of Mymensingh
- Anaemia or low blood counts together with a long fever
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
No preparation is needed. Tell your doctor if you have been treated for kala-azar in the past, because the antibodies can stay in the blood for years and change how the result is read.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm during a short home visit. The tube is labelled and sent to the laboratory the same day.
- Report
- The same day.
What the results can mean
A positive result in someone with typical symptoms supports a diagnosis of kala-azar. The antibodies can remain for years after treatment and can be found in people who were infected without becoming ill, so a positive result alone is not a diagnosis, and the test cannot detect a relapse. A negative result makes kala-azar less likely. Your doctor will interpret the result together with your symptoms, examination and blood count.
What's included
One test: Kala-azar Test (rK39 Rapid Antibody Test), from one blood sample.
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Questions people ask
What is kala-azar?
It is a parasitic infection spread by sandflies that affects the internal organs. Without treatment it can be serious, but it is treatable when found.
Can the rK39 test detect a relapse of kala-azar?
No. The antibodies stay positive for a long time after treatment, so doctors use other tests if a relapse is suspected.
Is kala-azar contagious?
It does not spread through ordinary contact such as touching or sharing food. It is spread by the bite of infected sandflies.
How much does a rK39 test test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳590, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the rK39 test test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the rK39 test report take?
The report is usually ready the same day the sample is collected.