Disease detection

Engineers from the universities of Exeter and Coventry have developed a new malaria detection technology.

A new technique of malaria detection has been developed which could challenge existing current rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) by being faster and cheaper.

The researchers, working with the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Department of Biomedical Research in Amsterdam, have used magneto-optic technology (MOT) to detect haemozoin, a waste product of the malarial parasite, in the bloodstream of patients.

Current RDT techniques use chemicals to detect the parasite. The problem with this, however, is that the components need to be kept at a temperature difficult to maintain in hot climates.

Preparation for likely spread

Commenting on the new technique, Professor Dave Newman of the University of Exeter’s School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, said: “There is an urgent need for a new diagnostic technique for malaria, particularly in the light of global warming, which threatens to spread the disease into new parts of the world, including southern Europe.

“The early results from our device are very promising and hugely exciting. We expect to ultimately produce a sensitive non-invasive device that will be cost effective and easy to use, making it suitable for developing countries, where the need is greatest.”

The research was funded by the European Union.

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