Scientists in Benin unveil enhanced malaria test

The new technique can identify the four Plasmodium species which will help detect mixed-malaria infections [COTONOU, BENIN] Researchers in Benin say they have developed an improved method for detecting malaria parasites in mosquito vectors that could help yield better estimates of malaria transmission intensity in different settings. The new technique detects and identifies the four Plasmodium species in the principal mosquito vectors, Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus. It is also enables scientists to detect 'mixed' malaria infections where more than one type of Plasmodium parasite is present. SPEED READ New malaria test is 98 per cent accurate, scientists claim Detects and identifies the four Plasmodium species, which could lead to better estimates of transmission intensity Tool could aid with development of malaria vaccine, say experts

The study, published in PLoS ONE last month (28 December), explains that the technique optimises polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, a laboratory technique that amplifies and quantifies DNA molecules. The researchers also say their method is more accurate than the traditional technique, which is based on the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test, a standard laboratory diagnostic test that uses antibodies and colour change to detect DNA molecules. "This study presents an optimised method for detecting the four Plasmodium species in African malaria vectors," say the authors. They say it could be an "accurate molecular diagnostic tool for detecting malaria parasites in field mosquito populations". continued