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Indian-Origin scientist develops noninvasive Malaria test
Parikh, who has been conducting malaria research in Africa for over 20 years, is also a co-principal investigator of a newly established International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research (ICEMR) in Burkina Faso.
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Non invasive malaria test/ Dr. Sunil Parikh / Image- Yale School of Public Health
A new noninvasive test for malaria, developed by Indian-origin epidemiologist Dr. Sunil Parikh and his team could significantly improve the way malaria is detected, especially in low-income countries.
The research, published in Nature Communications, introduces a device called the Cytophone, which detects malaria without drawing blood.
Current methods for malaria detection rely on invasive blood tests, which require specialized equipment and are often impractical in remote or resource-limited areas. The Cytophone, however, uses laser and ultrasound technology to detect malaria-infected cells circulating in the bloodstream.
In a trial conducted in Cameroon, the device demonstrated 90 percent sensitivity and 69 percent specificity, performing as well as or better than existing diagnostic methods.
The research team, which includes scientists from the University of Arkansas and Cameroon, found the device to be effective in detecting the most common malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, as well as less common species.
“We were excited to see the Cytophone detect multiple malaria species, which could have important implications for regions where less common strains are emerging,” said Dr. Parikh.
According to him, the ability lity to detect a broader range of species, including Plasmodium falciparum and rarer malaria parasites, could be particularly crucial in countries facing rising cases of less prevalent strains.
“The Cytophone’s diagnostic performance was comparable to current blood-based tests,” said Dr. Jillian N. Armstrong, one of the lead authors of the study. The device, initially developed to detect cancer cells, has been adapted for malaria detection, and the researchers are working on making the device even more sensitive and portable.
Malaria continues to be a major global health issue, with over 600,000 deaths annually. The World Health Organization has set a target to reduce malaria cases by 90 percent by 2030, and the Cytophone could play a key role in meeting that goal by providing a faster, safer, and more accessible diagnostic tool.
Parikh, who has been conducting malaria research in Africa for over 20 years, is also a co-principal investigator of a newly established International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research (ICEMR) in Burkina Faso.
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