Advanced Techniques and Unusual Samples for Malaria Diagnosis

Abstract

Successful malaria control, treatment, and prevention depends on successful diagnosis using appropriate equipment with high sensitivity and specificity. In most tropical countries where the disease is endemic, malaria diagnosis is still based on the conventional techniques (Microscopy and RDT) which have so many shortcomings, hence the need to switch to the most advanced diagnostic technique for better results. In this review, several serological and molecular malaria diagnostic techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Flow cytometry, Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), Indirect Immunofluorescence, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Radioimmunoassay (RIA), Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) and Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry (LDMS) were systematically discussed in simple and direct language for easier understanding of the principle involved in each case scenario. In addition, some unusual samples for malaria diagnosis like Urine and saliva were also discussed.