PCR-Based Malaria Screening in Urine and Saliva Samples

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on November 23, 2006

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins's Malaria Research Institute were able to develop a PCR-based method for detecting malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, in urine and saliva samples.

Although not a diagnostic test for determining treatment, the method could potentially reduce the need for blood sampling in epidemiological studies where large-scale malaria screening is required. Drawing blood increases the risk of spreading HIV and other diseases, particularly in those developing countries where both HIV and malaria are prevalent.

While this won't directly benefit patients, it presents a screening method which may be safer for public health workers.

Source: JHSPH