Molecular Diagnosis of Malaria in Low-Resource Settings

Abstract: In developed nations, there has been a dramatic shift in the paradigm for diagnostics of infectious diseases. Traditional methods of culture and serology are being superseded by molecular diagnostics. These tests, for example real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have exquisite sensitivity in detecting low-level infections and by combining different tests in one, they have the specificity to identify a pathogen to the resolution of the genotype. However, they are also costly and require sophisticated infrastructure as well as highly skilled personnel. These limitations preclude access to molecular diagnostics in rural areas, and particularly in low-resource settings in the developing world. The concept of “democratizing” molecular diagnostics points to this disparity in health care systems of developed and developing nations and urges the development of technologies that can be adapted for low-resource settings to ensure universal access.
Source: Point of Care: The Journal of Near-Patient Testing and Technology - Category: Pathology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research