Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ram Das, Kapil Vashisht, Kailash C. Pandey
Summary: A novel multiplex qPCR assay was developed to detect non-human malaria parasites in Indian populations at risk. The assay showed high specificity and sensitivity, making it a valuable tool for mass screening and surveillance programs, aiming to control and eliminate malaria from India by 2030.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Abalinda M. Gorret, Rabbison Muhindo, Emma Baguma, Moses Ntaro, Edgar M. Mulogo, Molly Deutsch-Feldman, Jonathan J. Juliano, Dan Nyehangane, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: A study conducted in western Uganda found that malaria rapid diagnostic tests perform similarly in diagnosing children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, whether using capillary or venous blood, with high sensitivity, specificity, and agreement between sample types. Only a few tests would have led to a different clinical diagnosis when following the manufacturer's recommended interpretation.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Felix Ansah, Francis Krampa, Jacob K. Donkor, Caleb Owusu-Appiah, Sarah Ashitei, Victor E. Kornu, Reinhard K. Danku, Jersley D. Chirawurah, Gordon A. Awandare, Yaw Aniweh, Prosper Kanyong
Summary: The study presents label-free DNA-based genosensors for species-specific detection of malaria parasites. The genosensors showed high sensitivity and comparable specificity to current POC diagnostic tools for malaria. This work brings significant progress towards the development of accurate and rapid nucleic acid-based toolkits for malaria diagnosis at the POC.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gabriel Luiz Costa, Denise Anete Madureira Alvarenga, Anna Caroline Campos Aguiar, Jaime Louzada, Dhelio Batista Pereira, Tatiana Flavia De Oliveira, Antonio Augusto Fonseca Junior, Luzia Helena Carvalho, Cristiana Ferreira Alves De Brito, Tais Nobrega De Sousa
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in detecting Plasmodium DNA in saliva samples of individuals exposed to malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon region. The results showed that ddPCR had higher sensitivity in detecting malaria parasites in blood and swabs compared to traditional qPCR methods, and it was able to detect more mixed infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Theresa Reiker, Monica Golumbeanu, Andrew Shattock, Lydia Burgert, Thomas A. Smith, Sarah Filippi, Ewan Cameron, Melissa A. Penny
Summary: Individual-based models are essential in the global fight against infectious diseases, but the complexity of the models can pose challenges for calibration. The authors propose using a Bayesian optimization framework to calibrate a complex malaria transmission simulator, resulting in improved fitting outcomes compared to previous calibrations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kate Ings, Daniela Denk
Summary: Avian malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium protozoa, is transmitted by mosquitoes and is particularly harmful to captive penguins. It often leads to acute death. Wild penguins can also be infected, but the significance of these infections is unclear. Global warming may increase the threat of avian malaria to captive penguin conservation. Current diagnostic methods rely on microscopy and molecular testing, but are not always able to identify the causative species.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonas Yimam, Mehdi Mohebali, Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of a new ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (us-RDT) and a conventional rapid diagnostic test (co-RDT) for detecting malaria. The results showed that us-RDT had higher sensitivity, especially in asymptomatic individuals and low transmission areas.
Article
Cell Biology
James A. Watson, Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Johnstone Makale, Gideon M. Nyutu, Neema Mturi, Elizabeth C. George, Charles J. Woodrow, Nicholas P. J. Day, Philip Bejon, Robert O. Opoka, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chandy C. John, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams, Nicholas J. White
Summary: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is difficult to accurately diagnose in children in high-transmission settings. A combination of platelet count and plasma PfHRP2 concentration can be used to identify severe falciparum malaria in severely ill patients. About one-third of children enrolled in clinical studies of severe malaria in high-transmission settings in Africa had other causes of their severe illness.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Lorenz M. Hofer, Prisca A. Kweyamba, Rajabu M. Sayi, Mohamed S. Chabo, Sonali L. Maitra, Sarah J. Moore, Mgeni M. Tambwe
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), light microscopy (LM) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in detecting asymptomatic malaria infections that can transmit to mosquitoes. The results showed that mRDT detected the highest infection rate, while subpatent mRDT infections contributed marginally to the pool of oocyts-infected mosquitoes.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tran Dang Nguyen, Bo Gao, Chanaki Amaratunga, Mehul Dhorda, Thu Nguyen-Anh Tran, Nicholas J. White, Arjen M. Dondorp, Maciej F. Boni, Ricardo Aguas
Summary: Triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) have shown high efficacy for the treatment of malaria and could delay the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance, improving treatment outcomes and the chances of malaria elimination.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Mateusz Plucinski, Michael Aidoo, Eric Rogier
Summary: The research discusses the significance of identifying and characterizing proteins produced during human infection with Plasmodium spp. in malaria research, diagnosis, and epidemiology. It highlights the development of laboratory methods for protein detection and the potential implications for malaria control strategies.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jonathan S. Schultz, Kimberly E. Mace, Kathrine R. Tan
Summary: The increase in international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery period is expected to lead to an increase in imported malaria cases in the US. Prevention, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are crucial in minimizing imported malaria morbidity and mortality. Intravenous artesunate (IVAS) is now available for severe malaria treatment in the US. Hospitals and pharmacists should have a malaria treatment plan that includes stocking artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria and ensuring access to IVAS for severe cases.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Pranavi Muppidi, Emily Wright, Samuel C. Wassmer, Himanshu Gupta
Summary: Cerebral malaria is a severe form of malaria that can cause death, and it is characterized by the accumulation of parasitized red blood cells in the microvasculature of vital organs. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a positive outcome in cerebral malaria. However, current diagnostic tools are insufficient to assess the extent of brain dysfunction associated with cerebral malaria before the window for effective treatment closes. Various biomarkers based on host and parasite factors have been proposed as rapid diagnostic tools for early cerebral malaria diagnosis, but no specific biomarker signature has been validated. In this review, we discuss promising biomarker candidates for cerebral malaria and evaluate their suitability as point-of-care tools in malaria-endemic areas.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hwa Chia Chai, Kek Heng Chua
Summary: Pathogens can alter the odor of vectors and hosts, leading to new opportunities in malaria diagnosis using non-invasive methods such as volatile biomarkers. This approach shows promise for developing biosensors for malaria diagnosis in low-resource settings.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Katherine O'Flaherty, Win Han Oo, Sophie G. Zaloumis, Julia C. Cutts, Kyaw Zayar Aung, Myat Mon Thein, Damien R. Drew, Zahra Razook, Alyssa E. Barry, Naanki Parischa, Nyi Nyi Zaw, Htin Kyaw Thu, Aung Thi, Wai Yan Min Htay, Aung Paing Soe, Julie A. Simpson, James G. Beeson, Paul A. Agius, Freya J. I. Fowkes
Summary: In the Greater Mekong Subregion, integrating molecular and serological surveillance techniques into the network of village health volunteers has shown to capture significant levels of undetected seasonal malaria transmission. Antibody seropositivity may play a role in protecting against molecular-detectable Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Thulya Chakkumpulakkal Puthan Veettil, Kamila Kochan, Karen J. Edler, Paul De Bank, Philip Heraud, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: Malaria is a significant global health concern, and vibrational spectroscopy shows promise as a rapid and cost-effective tool for early detection. Improvements are needed in the measurement procedures and sample preparation to enhance the efficiency of screening for parasitic infections.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Correction
Chemistry, Analytical
David Perez-Guaita, Guillermo Quintas, Zeineb Farhane, Roma Tauler, Hugh J. Byrne
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Jakub Dybas, Fatih Celal Alcicek, Aleksandra Wajda, Magdalena Kaczmarska, Anna Zimna, Katarzyna Bulat, Aneta Blat, Tetiana Stepanenko, Tasnim Mohaissen, Ewa Szczesny-Malysiak, David Perez-Guaita, Bayden R. Wood, Katarzyna Maria Marzec
Summary: The application of modern and innovative spectroscopic and microscopic approaches in biomedical analysis has provided new insights into the analysis of red blood cells (RBCs). This review critically summarizes the latest Raman-based methodologies for RBC analysis and compares them with other techniques. It highlights the advantages, disadvantages, and capabilities of each technique for detecting RBC deteriorations and RBC-related diseases. Classical techniques currently used in medical analysis are insufficient in providing molecular-level insights into RBC alterations, therefore non-destructive and label-free analytical techniques are in demand for rapid detection and diagnosis of erythropathies.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Monika Kujdowicz, David Perez-Guaita, Piotr Chlosta, Krzysztof Okon, Kamilla Malek
Summary: A novel approach combining infrared microscopy and machine learning was proposed to automatically predict the presence of cancer, invasiveness, and grade in urothelial bladder carcinoma (BC). The study found that the infrared imaging showed high sensitivity in identifying cancer, invasiveness, and grade, providing a potential ancillary platform for screening bladder biopsies.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Thulya Chakkumpulakkal Puthan Veettil, Rebekah N. Duffin, Supti Roy, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Mark J. Tobin, Miguela Martin, John A. Adegoke, Philip C. Andrews, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: Neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis, are becoming more widespread. This study demonstrates the potential of using synchrotron Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and machine learning models to accurately predict Leishmania infection. The use of this technique could pave the way for future clinical studies using portable devices.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Miguela Martin, Molin Wongwattanakul, Noppmats Khemtonglang, Pakaphan Kiatchoosakun, Philip Heraud, Patcharee Jearanaikoon, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common blood disease, affecting 400 million people globally, especially in malaria-endemic regions. Accurate diagnosis of this deficiency is crucial for malaria eradication efforts. This study investigates the use of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) as a potential diagnostic technique. Results show that ATR FT-IR combined with multivariate data analysis can accurately classify fully deficient participants and partially deficient females who are often misdiagnosed. This approach has the potential to become a frontline screening tool, improving tailored drug treatments and saving lives.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Review
Instruments & Instrumentation
Callum Gassner, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Soon Hock Ng, Meguya Ryu, Mark J. J. Tobin, Saulius Juodkazis, Junko Morikawa, Bayden R. R. Wood
Summary: This review provides an overview of the knowledge gathered through polarized infrared spectroscopy on biological materials, including biomolecules, cells, and tissues. The review discusses the factors that can affect the analysis, such as sample preparation, sample properties, and instrumentation. It also highlights the potential impacts of using inherently polarized light sources for biological sample analysis.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ivan Rienda, Erika Moro, Alvaro Perez-Rubio, Ramon Trullenque-Juan, David Perez-Guaita, Bernhard Lendl, Julia Kuligowski, Jose V. Castell, Judith Perez-Rojas, Eugenia Pareja, Guillermo Quintas
Summary: Near-infrared and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy can be used for real-time quantitative assessment of liver steatosis, playing a crucial role in the success of liver transplantation surgery.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Thulya Chakkumpulakkal Puthan Veettil, Diana Alves, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Rosemary L. Sparrow, Bayden R. Wood, Gil Garnier
Summary: Oxidative treatment of RBCs prior to freeze-drying stabilizes the cells for storage at room temperature. Synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy was used to analyze single RBCs and compare lipid and protein spectral data before and after oxidation and freeze-drying. The analysis showed that oxidized and freeze-dried RBCs have different spectral profiles compared to untreated RBCs, indicating changes in lipid peroxidation, stiffness of the membrane, and protein secondary structure. Freeze-drying did not introduce additional changes. This study highlights the potential of freeze-dried RBCs as a stable source for blood serology testing and demonstrates the power of synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopic live-cell analysis.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Julia Kuligowski, Alvaro Perez-Rubio, Marta Moreno-Torres, Polina Soluyanova, Judith Perez-Rojas, Ivan Rienda, David Perez-Guaita, Eugenia Pareja, Ramon Trullenque-Juan, Jose Castell, Marcha Verheijen, Florian Caiment, Ramiro Jover, Guillermo Quintas
Summary: This study introduces a novel variable selection approach called cluster PLS (c-PLS) to assess the joint impact of variable groups selected based on biological characteristics on the predictive performance of a multivariate model. The usefulness of c-PLS is shown using miRNomic and metabolomic datasets obtained from the analysis of liver tissue biopsies.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
John A. Adegoke, Callum Gassner, Varun J. Sharma, Sheila K. Patel, Louise Jackett, Isaac O. Afara, Jaishankar Raman, Louise M. Burrell, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: This study demonstrates that a portable handheld near-infrared spectrometer coupled with machine learning algorithms can effectively differentiate between kidney and cardiac fibrosis in a rat model of kidney failure, providing a potential intraoperative surgical tool for detecting and quantifying fibrosis in the heart and kidney.
ANALYSIS & SENSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zack Richardson, Adele Kincses, Elif Ekinci, David Perez-Guaita, Karin Jandeleit-Dahm, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: In this study, a method combining ultracentrifugation, infrared spectroscopy, and machine learning was developed to accurately quantify low level microalbuminuria in urine samples. The results showed high sensitivity and specificity in discriminating between normal and micro/macroalbuminuric samples, and regression analysis provided quantification of albumin concentration. This approach is cost-effective, quick, and portable, making it a valuable tool for early screening of diabetic kidney disease.
ANALYSIS & SENSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
John A. Adegoke, Hannah Raper, Callum Gassner, Philip Heraud, Bayden R. Wood
Summary: This study successfully discriminated different stages of functional asexual blood stage parasites using visible microspectrophotometry combined with machine learning, providing an important method for monitoring the progression and recovery of malaria.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Amir Pourabed, Thulya Chakkumpulakkal Puthan Veettil, Citsabehsan Devendran, Prasanna Nair, Bayden R. Wood, Tuncay Alan
Summary: Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, requires better diagnostic platforms to improve detection sensitivity and reduce processing times and costs. With the use of an acoustically actuated microfluidic mixer, blood cell lysis can be enhanced, leading to increased efficiency in releasing hemoglobin into plasma. The combination of acoustofluidic/spectroscopic approach shows promise for point-of-care blood diagnosis, especially in detecting neonatal and congenital malaria.