Non-Invasive Malaria Detection in Sub-Saharan Africa Using a DNA-Based Sensor System

Non-Invasive Malaria Detection in Sub-Saharan Africa Using a DNA-Based Sensor System

Malaria poses a serious global health problem, with half the world population being at risk. Regular screening is crucial for breaking the transmission cycle and combatting the disease spreading. However, current diagnostic tools relying on blood samples face challenges in many malaria-epidemic area...

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Main Authors: Trine Juul-Kristensen, Celine Thiesen, Line Wulff Haurum, Josephine Geertsen Keller, Romeo Wenceslas Lendamba, Rella Zoleko Manego, Madeleine Eunice Betouke Ongwe, Birgitta Ruth Knudsen, Eduardo Pareja, Eduardo Pareja-Tobes, Rodrigo Labouriau, Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma, Cinzia Tesauro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
malaria
diagnosis
rolling circle amplification
saliva
topoisomerase 1
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/24/7947
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Summary:Malaria poses a serious global health problem, with half the world population being at risk. Regular screening is crucial for breaking the transmission cycle and combatting the disease spreading. However, current diagnostic tools relying on blood samples face challenges in many malaria-epidemic areas. In the present study, we demonstrate the detection of the malaria-causing <i>Plasmodium</i> parasite in non-invasive saliva samples (N = 61) from infected individuals by combining a DNA-based Rolling-circle-Enhanced-Enzyme-Activity-Detection (REEAD) sensor system with a chemiluminescence readout that could be detected with an in-house-developed affordable and battery-powered portable reader. We successfully transferred the technology to sub-Saharan Africa, where the malaria burden is high, and demonstrated a proof of concept in a small study (N = 40) showing significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.00001) between malaria-positive individuals (N = 33) and presumed asymptomatic negative individuals (N = 7) all collected in Gabon. This is the first successful application of the REEAD sensor system for the detection of malaria in saliva in a high-epidemic area and holds promise for the potential future use of REEAD for malaria diagnosis or surveillance based on non-invasive specimens in sub-Saharan Africa.
ISSN:1424-8220

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