title: Novel techniques and future directions in molecular diagnosis of malaria in resource-limited settings.
abstract: Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria remains a global health concern with approximately 1.2 billion people at high risk of being infected, 90% of whom are in the resource-limited settings of sub-Saharan Africa. The continued decline in malaria cases globally has rekindled the possibility of elimination in certain regions. As humans constitute the main reservoir of malaria, prompt and accurate diagnosis by microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests is part not only of effective disease management but also of control measures. However, for malaria elimination, more sensitive diagnostic tools are needed to detect asymptomatic and sub-microscopic infections that contribute to transmission. Molecular techniques, which involve amplification of nucleic acids, are being developed and modified to suit this purpose. This report provides a summary of the nucleic acid amplification tests that are currently available for diagnosis of malaria, with current improvements and adaptations for use in resource-limited settings.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Medical Research Council Unit , Fajara, The Gambia.|b 2 International Health Unit, University of Antwerp , Antwerp, Belgium.|c 3 Institute of Tropical Medicine , Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eniyou Cheryll
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Oriero
authors.affiliation: b 2 International Health Unit, University of Antwerp , Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Van Geertruyden
authors.affiliation: a 1 Medical Research Council Unit , Fajara, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Davis C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Nwakanma
authors.affiliation: a 1 Medical Research Council Unit , Fajara, The Gambia.|c 3 Institute of Tropical Medicine , Antwerp, Belgium.|d 4 London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene , London, UK.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.affiliation: c 3 Institute of Tropical Medicine , Antwerp, Belgium.|e 5 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Leuven , Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends
keywords: POC tests; hemozoin detection; isothermal amplification; lamp; malaria; molecular diagnosis; nalfia; nucleic acid amplification tests; polymerase chain reaction