We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
THE LEE COMPANY

BIOSYNEX

Biosynex designs, manufactures and distributes Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) which, in their professional version, al... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Different Kits and PCR Methods Evaluated for Malaria Diagnosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Jul 2022
Print article
Image: The BIOSYNEX AMPLIQUICK Malaria is an in vitro molecular diagnostic test for the detection of the five species of Plasmodium (Photo courtesy of Biosynex)
Image: The BIOSYNEX AMPLIQUICK Malaria is an in vitro molecular diagnostic test for the detection of the five species of Plasmodium (Photo courtesy of Biosynex)

Malaria is an infectious disease considered as one of the biggest causes of mortality in endemic areas. This life-threatening disease needs to be quickly diagnosed and treated. The standard diagnostic tools are thick blood smears microscopy and immuno-chromatographic rapid diagnostic tests.

However, these methods lack sensitivity especially in cases of low parasitaemia and non-falciparum infections. Therefore, the need for more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools, such as real-time polymerase chain reaction based methods which have proven greater sensitivity particularly in the screening of malaria, is pronounced.

Scientists at the Hôpital Bichat - Claude Bernard (Paris, France) conducted a study on 183 blood samples received for expert diagnosis at the French National Malaria Reference Centre (FNMRC). The team assessed sensitivity and specificity of two commercial malaria qPCR kits and two in-house developed qPCRs compared to LAMP.

The samples were tested by four different qPCR methods: the Ampliquick Malaria test (Biosynex SA, Illkirch-Graffenstaden France), the BioEvolution Plasmodium Typage test (Bio-Evolution, Île-de-France, France), the in-house HRM and the in-house TaqMan qPCRs. The specificity and sensitivity of each method and their confidence intervals were determined with the LAMP-based assay Alethia Malaria (Meridian Bioscience, Cincinnati, OH, USA) used as the reference for malaria diagnosis. The accuracy of species diagnosis of the Ampliquick Malaria test and the two in-house qPCRs was also evaluated using the BioEvolution Plasmodium Typage test as the reference method for species identification.

The investigators reported that that when compared to LAMP, a test with excellent diagnostic performances, the two in-house developed qPCRs were the most sensitive (sensitivity at 100% for the in-house TaqMan qPCR and 98.1% for the in-house high resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis qPCR, followed by the two commercial kits: the Biosynex Ampliquick Malaria test (sensitivity at 97.2%) and the BioEvolution Plasmodium Typage (sensitivity at 95.4%). Additionally, with the in-house qPCRs they were able to confirm a Plasmodium falciparum infection in microscopically negative samples that were not detected by commercial qPCR kits. This demonstrated that the var genes of P. falciparum used in these in-house qPCRs are more reliable targets than the 18S sRNA commonly used in most of the developed qPCR methods for malaria diagnosis.

Analysis with the Bio-Evolution kit showed 135 positive and 48 negative samples. Of the 135 positive samples: 73 were identified as P. falciparum, 36 were identified as P. ovale spp, eight were identified as P. vivax, 15 were identified as P. malariae, two mixed infections by P. falciparum and P. malariae and one mixed infection P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale. The 147 isolates tested with LAMP were assessed with the four different qPCR methods. The 43 LAMP negative samples were also negative by all four methods, which afford them all 100% specificity. Of the 104 positive samples, five were not detected by Plasmodium Typage (Bio-Evolution), three by Ampliquick Malaria and two by the HRM-qPCR, but all with the in-house TaqMan-qPCR.

The authors concluded that overall, their results accentuate the role molecular methods could play in the screening of malaria. This may represent a helpful tool for other laboratories looking to implement molecular diagnosis methods in their routine analysis, which could be essential for the detection and treatment of malaria carriers and even for the eradication of this disease. The study was published on June 27, 2022 in the Malaria Journal.

Related Links:
Hôpital Bichat - Claude Bernard 
Biosynex SA 
Bio-Evolution 
Meridian Bioscience 

Platinum Supplier
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA
Gold Supplier
Automatic Western Blot Analyzer
Tenfly Phoenix Blot Analyzer
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Automated Staining Unit
RAL Stainer

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: A module with eight micro-devices, complete with microfluidic channels and drive motors (Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Energy)

Highly Sensitive pH Sensor to Aid Detection of Cancers and Vector-Borne Viruses

Understanding the acidity or alkalinity of substances through pH measurement is crucial in many fields, from environmental monitoring to healthcare product safety. In many cases, these measurements must... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The PrismRA blood test helps target best treatments for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Photo courtesy of Scipher Medicine)

Groundbreaking Rheumatoid Arthritis Blood Test Predicts Treatment Response

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease affecting joints and other systems in the body, impacts millions globally. Typically, the initial biologic treatment involves anti-inflammatory drugs from... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The QScout hematology analyzer has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

First Rapid-Result Hematology Analyzer Reports Measures of Infection and Severity at POC

Sepsis, a critical medical condition that arises as an extreme response to infection, poses a significant health threat. It occurs when an infection triggers a widespread inflammatory response in the body.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PointCheck is the world’s first device for non-invasive white cell monitoring (Photo courtesy of Leuko Labs)

World’s First Portable, Non-Invasive WBC Monitoring Device to Eliminate Need for Blood Draw

One of the toughest challenges for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is experiencing a low count of white blood cells, also known as neutropenia. These cells play a crucial role in warding off infections.... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI methods used in satellite imaging can help researchers analyze tumor images (Photo courtesy of Karolinska Institutet)

AI Approach Combines Satellite Imaging and Ecology Techniques for Analysis of Tumor Tissue

Advancements in tumor imaging technology have significantly enhanced our ability to observe the minute details of tumors, but this also brings the challenge of interpreting vast amounts of data generated... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The acquisition significantly expands Medix Biochemica’s portfolio of IVD raw materials (Photo courtesy of ViroStat)

Medix Biochemica Acquires US-Based ViroStat to Expand Infectious Diseases Antibody Offering

Medix Biochemica (Espoo, Finland), a supplier of critical raw materials to the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, has acquired ViroStat LLC (Portland, ME, USA), a provider of infectious disease antibodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.