'Simple blood test' helps fight malaria

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) can prove to be valuable tools for fighting malaria in low and mid-income countries, scientists have suggested.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet have found that the procedure, which is based on a simple blood test, can ensure more patients get the correct treatment.

In addition, RDT costs no more than other forms of treatment so is not putting too much strain on limited resources in health departments.

Dr Anders Bjorkman, the study leader at the Karolinska Institutet's research centre in Zanzibar, Tanzania, said that RDT may prove to be "a minor revolution in the treatment of malaria in the poor countries that are most severely affected".

"It also means that we'll get a better picture of the spread of the disease, which will make it possible to develop new, improved control strategies," he added.

Dr Bjorkman went on to say that existing test methods are "too complicated and expensive" for many health clinics in Africa.

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