Research 'breakthrough' in rapid malaria detection

Scientists have discovered a new technique that they claim could lead to more efficient identification of the malaria parasite in blood samples.

The research, undertaken by a US team from McGill University, involved the use of lasers and non-linear optical effects to detect the disease in blood.

In their findings, published in the Biophysical Journal, the team explain how they used an optical effect called third harmonic generation to detect a substance secreted by the malaria parasite.

Commenting on the possible application of their discovery in the field, head of the team, Dr Paul Wiseman, said: "We're imagining a self-contained unit that could be used in clinics in endemic countries."

"The operator could inject the cell sample directly into the device, and then it would come up with a count of the total number of existing infected cells without manual intervention," he added.

According to the World Health Organization, diagnosis and treatment of malaria must begin within 24 hours of the onset of the disease's symptoms in a patient.

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