Abstract:
As the prevalence of malaria continues to
decrease globally, optimism is growing as
countries shift from bringing down the
number of new malaria cases to aiming for
malaria elimination. Supporting this bold
goal is the World Health Organization
(WHO) which has guidelines for how this
goal may be attained as well as for
certification of the elimination of malaria.
Thus, it endorsed an ambitious goal of
achieving global malaria elimination and
eradication. Achieving this milestone
requires identification and treatment of all
parasite carriers, both symptomatic and
asymptomatic. There is therefore need to
develop improved high throughput
diagnostics, with capacity to detect low
parasitemia infections. This would enhance
identification and treatment of all
asymptomatic cases in the early stages of
infection especially in non-endemic areas
that play a major role in malaria
transmission. The aim of this project was to
develop and evaluate a dry high –throughput
(HT) LAMP assay for detection of low
intensity P. falciparum infections. The assay
was modified to enhance throughput,
optimized by assessment by inclusion of
DMSO to increase sensitivity and
specificity. The assay evaluated 134 samples
which were validated against Nested
PCR.HT-LAMP Sensitivity of 92.1%,
Specificity 100 %, Positive predictive value
of 100% and Negative predictive value of
97% was achieved. The two assays showed
a strong agreement between them (k=
0.943). HT LAMP showed superior
diagnostic capacity just like that of Nested
PCR and thus it can be used in field
evaluations in the quest to eliminate malaria.
Further research should also be done to
make a multiplex HT-LAMP assay that can
detect other strains of Plasmodium and
lyophilize the reagents for ease of filed
application.
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