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Yalley AK, Ocran J, Cobbinah JE, Obodai E, Yankson IK, Kafintu-Kwashie AA, Amegatcher G, Anim-Baidoo I, Nii-Trebi NI, Prah DA. Advances in Malaria Diagnostic Methods in Resource-Limited Settings: A Systematic Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:190. [PMID: 39330879 PMCID: PMC11435979 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9090190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria continues to pose a health challenge globally, and its elimination has remained a major topic of public health discussions. A key factor in eliminating malaria is the early and accurate detection of the parasite, especially in asymptomatic individuals, and so the importance of enhanced diagnostic methods cannot be overemphasized. This paper reviewed the advances in malaria diagnostic tools and detection methods over recent years. The use of these advanced diagnostics in lower and lower-middle-income countries as compared to advanced economies has been highlighted. Scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PUBMED, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), among others, were reviewed. The findings suggest important advancements in malaria detection, ranging from the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and molecular-based technologies to advanced non-invasive detection methods and computerized technologies. Molecular tests, RDTs, and computerized tests were also seen to be in use in resource-limited settings. In all, only twenty-one out of a total of eighty (26%) low and lower-middle-income countries showed evidence of the use of modern malaria diagnostic methods. It is imperative for governments and other agencies to direct efforts toward malaria research to upscale progress towards malaria elimination globally, especially in endemic regions, which usually happen to be resource-limited regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akua K. Yalley
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana; (A.K.Y.); (A.A.K.-K.); (G.A.); (I.A.-B.)
| | - Joyous Ocran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast, Ghana; (J.O.); (J.E.C.)
| | - Jacob E. Cobbinah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast, Ghana; (J.O.); (J.E.C.)
| | - Evangeline Obodai
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana;
| | - Isaac K. Yankson
- CSIR-Building and Road Research Institute, Kumasi P.O. Box UP40, Kumasi, Ghana;
| | - Anna A. Kafintu-Kwashie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana; (A.K.Y.); (A.A.K.-K.); (G.A.); (I.A.-B.)
| | - Gloria Amegatcher
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana; (A.K.Y.); (A.A.K.-K.); (G.A.); (I.A.-B.)
| | - Isaac Anim-Baidoo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana; (A.K.Y.); (A.A.K.-K.); (G.A.); (I.A.-B.)
| | - Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra P.O. Box KB 143, Ghana; (A.K.Y.); (A.A.K.-K.); (G.A.); (I.A.-B.)
| | - Diana A. Prah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Barnes Road, Accra P.O. Box GP 561, Ghana
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Schwarzer E, Skorokhod O. Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins of Malaria Parasites during the Life Cycle. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6145. [PMID: 38892332 PMCID: PMC11173270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are essential for regulating protein functions, influencing various fundamental processes in eukaryotes. These include, but are not limited to, cell signaling, protein trafficking, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and control of the cell cycle, as well as cell proliferation, differentiation, and interactions between cells. In this review, we discuss protein PTMs that play a key role in the malaria parasite biology and its pathogenesis. Phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, lipidation and lipoxidation, glycosylation, ubiquitination and sumoylation, nitrosylation and glutathionylation, all of which occur in malarial parasites, are reviewed. We provide information regarding the biological significance of these modifications along all phases of the complex life cycle of Plasmodium spp. Importantly, not only the parasite, but also the host and vector protein PTMs are often crucial for parasite growth and development. In addition to metabolic regulations, protein PTMs can result in epitopes that are able to elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses of the host or vector. We discuss some existing and prospective results from antimalarial drug discovery trials that target various PTM-related processes in the parasite or host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelin Schwarzer
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina, 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
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Calderaro A, Piccolo G, Chezzi C. The Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria: A Focus on the Diagnostic Assays in Non-Endemic Areas. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:695. [PMID: 38255768 PMCID: PMC10815132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Even if malaria is rare in Europe, it is a medical emergency and programs for its control should ensure both an early diagnosis and a prompt treatment within 24-48 h from the onset of the symptoms. The increasing number of imported malaria cases as well as the risk of the reintroduction of autochthonous cases encouraged laboratories in non-endemic countries to adopt diagnostic methods/algorithms. Microscopy remains the gold standard, but with limitations. Rapid diagnostic tests have greatly expanded the ability to diagnose malaria for rapid results due to simplicity and low cost, but they lack sensitivity and specificity. PCR-based assays provide more relevant information but need well-trained technicians. As reported in the World Health Organization Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, the development of point-of-care testing is important for the improvement of diagnosis with beneficial consequences for prompt/accurate treatment and for preventing the spread of the disease. Despite their limitations, diagnostic methods contribute to the decline of malaria mortality. Recently, evidence suggested that artificial intelligence could be utilized for assisting pathologists in malaria diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Calderaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Viale A. Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.)
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Baptista V, Silva M, Ferreira GM, Calçada C, Minas G, Veiga MI, Catarino SO. Optical Spectrophotometry as a Promising Method for Quantification and Stage Differentiation of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:140-149. [PMID: 36490289 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most life-threatening infectious diseases worldwide, claiming half a million lives yearly. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial for disease control and elimination. Currently used diagnostic methods require blood sampling and fail to detect low-level infections. At the symptomatic stage of infection, the parasites feed on red blood cells' (RBCs) hemoglobin, forming inert crystals, the hemozoin, in the process. Thus, along with parasite maturation inside the RBCs, the hemoglobin and hemozoin proportion is inversely related, and they generate specific optical spectra, according to their concentration. Herein, to address the issues of finger prick sampling and the lack of sensitivity of the parasitological test, we explored the optical features of Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs through absorbance and reflectance spectrophotometric characterization, aiming for their detection. This is the first work fully characterizing the spectrophotometric properties of P. falciparum-infected RBCs by using only 16 specific wavelengths within the visible optical spectra and two different post-processing algorithms. With such an innovative methodology, low-level infections can be detected and quantified, and early- and late-stage development can be clearly distinguished, not only improving the current detection limits but also proving the successful applicability of spectrophotometry for competitive and accurate malaria diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Baptista
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Miguel Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Gabriel M Ferreira
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carla Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Graça Minas
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's─PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Guimarães, Braga/, Portugal
| | - Susana O Catarino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.,LABBELS─Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Baptista V, Peng WK, Minas G, Veiga MI, Catarino SO. Review of Microdevices for Hemozoin-Based Malaria Detection. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12020110. [PMID: 35200370 PMCID: PMC8870200 DOI: 10.3390/bios12020110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria still puts almost half of the world's population at risk. Thus, prompt, accurate and sensitive malaria diagnosis is crucial for disease control and elimination. Optical microscopy and immuno-rapid tests are the standard malaria diagnostic methods in the field. However, these are time-consuming and fail to detect low-level parasitemia. Biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices, as reported to different applications, usually offer high sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use at the point of care. Thus, these can be explored as an alternative for malaria diagnosis. Alongside malaria infection inside the human red blood cells, parasites consume host hemoglobin generating the hemozoin crystal as a by-product. Hemozoin is produced in all parasite species either in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, hemozoin crystals are produced as the parasites invade the red blood cells and their content relates to disease progression. Hemozoin is, therefore, a unique indicator of infection, being used as a malaria biomarker. Herein, the so-far developed biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices aiming for malaria detection by targeting hemozoin as a biomarker are reviewed and discussed to fulfil all the medical demands for malaria management towards elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Baptista
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (G.M.); (S.O.C.)
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Weng Kung Peng
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Building A1, University Innovation Park, Dongguan 523808, China;
| | - Graça Minas
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (G.M.); (S.O.C.)
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana O. Catarino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal; (G.M.); (S.O.C.)
- LABBELS-Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal
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Aggarwal S, Peng WK, Srivastava S. Multi-Omics Advancements towards Plasmodium vivax Malaria Diagnosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2222. [PMID: 34943459 PMCID: PMC8700291 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11122222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is one of the most lethal infectious diseases, with 7 million infections annually. One of the roadblocks to global malaria elimination is the lack of highly sensitive, specific, and accurate diagnostic tools. The absence of diagnostic tools in particular has led to poor differentiation among parasite species, poor prognosis, and delayed treatment. The improvement necessary in diagnostic tools can be broadly grouped into two categories: technologies-driven and omics-driven progress over time. This article discusses the recent advancement in omics-based malaria for identifying the next generation biomarkers for a highly sensitive and specific assay with a rapid and antecedent prognosis of the disease. We summarize the state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies, the key challenges, opportunities, and emerging prospects of multi-omics-based sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Aggarwal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India;
| | - Weng Kung Peng
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Building A1, University Innovation Park, Dongguan 523808, China
- Precision Medicine-Engineering Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sanjeeva Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, Maharashtra, India;
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Baptista V, Costa MS, Calçada C, Silva M, Gil JP, Veiga MI, Catarino SO. The Future in Sensing Technologies for Malaria Surveillance: A Review of Hemozoin-Based Diagnosis. ACS Sens 2021; 6:3898-3911. [PMID: 34735120 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c01750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Early and effective malaria diagnosis is vital to control the disease spread and to prevent the emergence of severe cases and death. Currently, malaria diagnosis relies on optical microscopy and immuno-rapid tests; however, these require a drop of blood, are time-consuming, or are not specific and sensitive enough for reliable detection of low-level parasitaemia. Thus, there is an urge for simpler, prompt, and accurate alternative diagnostic methods. Particularly, hemozoin has been increasingly recognized as an attractive biomarker for malaria detection. As the disease proliferates, parasites digest host hemoglobin, in the process releasing toxic haem that is detoxified into an insoluble crystal, the hemozoin, which accumulates along with infection progression. Given its magnetic, optical, and acoustic unique features, hemozoin has been explored for new label-free diagnostic methods. Thereby, herein, we review the hemozoin-based malaria detection methods and critically discuss their challenges and potential for the development of an ideal diagnostic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitória Baptista
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mariana S. Costa
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Carla Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José Pedro Gil
- Stockholm Malaria Center, Department of Microbiology and Tumour Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s − PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana O. Catarino
- Microelectromechanical Systems Research Unit (CMEMS-UMinho), School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
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Di Gregorio E, Ferrauto G, Schwarzer E, Gianolio E, Valente E, Ulliers D, Aime S, Skorokhod O. Relaxometric studies of erythrocyte suspensions infected by Plasmodium falciparum: a tool for staging infection and testing anti-malarial drugs. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:3366-3378. [PMID: 32602953 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malaria is a global health problem with the most malignant form caused by Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Parasite maturation in red blood cells (RBCs) is accompanied by changes including the formation of paramagnetic hemozoin (HZ) nanocrystals, and increased metabolism and variation in membrane lipid composition. Herein, MR relaxometry (MRR) was applied to investigate water exchange across RBCs' membrane and HZ formation in parasitized RBCs. METHODS Transverse water protons relaxation rate constants (R2 = 1/T2 ) were measured for assessing HZ formation in P. falciparum-parasitized human RBCs. Moreover, water exchange lifetimes across the RBC membrane (τi ) were assessed by measuring longitudinal relaxation rate constants (R1 = 1/T1 ) at 21.5 MHz in the presence of a gadolinium complex dissolved in the suspension medium. RESULTS τi increased after invasion of parasites (ring stage, mean τi / τ i 0 = 1.234 ± 0.022) and decreased during maturation to late trophozoite (mean τi / τ i 0 = 0.960 ± 0.075) and schizont stages (mean τi / τ i 0 = 1.019 ± 0.065). The HZ accumulation in advanced stages was revealed by T2 -shortening. The curves reporting R2 (1/T2 ) vs. magnetic field showed different slopes for non-parasitized RBCs (npRBCs) and parasitized RBCs (pRBCs), namely 0.003 ± 0.001 for npRBCs, 0.009 ± 0.002, 0.028 ± 0.004 and 0.055 ± 0.002 for pRBCs at ring-, early trophozoite-, and late trophozoite stage, respectively. Antimalarial molecules dihydroartemisinin and chloroquine elicited measurable changes in parasitized RBCs, namely dihydroartemisinin modified τi , whereas the interference of chloroquine with HZ formation was detectable by a significant T2 increase. CONCLUSIONS MRR can be considered a useful tool for reporting on P. falciparum blood stages and for screening potential antimalarial molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza Di Gregorio
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Eliana Gianolio
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Valente
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Silvio Aime
- Molecular Imaging Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Abstract
Malaria is major public health concerns which continues to claim the lives of more than 435,000 people each year. The challenges with anti-malarial drug resistance and detection of low parasitaemia forms an immediate barrier to achieve the fast-approaching United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of ending malaria epidemics by 2030. In this Opinion article, focusing on the recent published technologies, in particularly the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based diagnostic technologies, the authors offer their perspectives and highlight ways to bring these point-of-care technologies towards personalized medicine. To this end, they advocate an open sourcing initiative to rapidly close the gap between technological innovations and field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Veiga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Weng Kung Peng
- Precision Medicine-Engineering Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.
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