Magneto-optical diagnosis of symptomatic malaria in Papua New Guinea

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21110-w
• Publication Date: 2021-02-12T11:04:03Z
• Authors: L. Arndt; T. Koleala; Á. Orbán; C. Ibam; E. Lufele; L. Timinao; L. Lorry; Á. Butykai; P. Kaman; A. P. Molnár; S. Krohns; E. Nate; I. Kucsera; E. Orosz; B. Moore; L. J. Robinson; M. Laman; I. Kézsmárki; S. Karl
• Keywords: Hemozoin; New guinea; Diagnosis of malaria; Plasmodium (life cycle); Vivax malaria; Gold standard (test)

Abstract Improved methods for malaria diagnosis are urgently needed. Here, we evaluate a novel method named rotating-crystal magneto-optical detection (RMOD) in 956 suspected patients Papua New Guinea. RMOD tests can be conducted within minutes and at low cost. We systematically the capability of to detect infections by directly comparing it with expert light microscopy, rapid diagnostic polymerase chain reaction on capillary blood samples. show that compared exhibits 82% sensitivity 84% specificity any infection 87% 88% Plasmodium vivax . This indicates could useful P. dominated elimination settings. Parasite density correlates well quantitative signal. Importantly, residual hemozoin present malaria-negative is also detectable RMOD, indicating its ability previous infections. exploited reveal transmission hotspots low-transmission