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Malaria and the 'last' parasite: how can technology help?
Ngoc Minh Pham1, Walter Karlen1, Hans-Peter Beck2,3
1Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Lengghalde 5, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
Malaria Journal
|July 13, 2018
Summary
Accurate malaria detection is crucial for eradication. Innovative diagnostic tools, including microfluidics and smartphone technology, offer promising solutions for identifying the last malaria parasites.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Malaria is a leading cause of death globally, alongside HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
- Progress in malaria elimination presents challenges in detecting residual infections, particularly in asymptomatic individuals.
- Accurate and effective diagnostic tools are essential for achieving malaria eradication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current advancements in diagnostic tools for malaria detection.
- To identify technological gaps and opportunities in malaria elimination campaigns.
- To explore the potential of next-generation rapid diagnostic tests for malaria.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on malaria diagnostic tools.
- Analysis of innovative technologies for malaria detection.
- Discussion of microfluidic and smartphone-based diagnostic approaches.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in developing new malaria diagnostic tools.
- Innovative technologies can significantly impact malaria elimination efforts.
- Microfluidic and smartphone-based platforms show potential as next-generation rapid diagnostic tests.
Conclusions:
- Effective detection of malaria, including asymptomatic cases, is vital for eradication.
- Technological innovation is key to addressing diagnostic gaps in malaria elimination.
- A combination of microfluidics and smartphone technology could revolutionize malaria rapid diagnostics.
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