Ultrasensitive CRISPR-based diagnostic for field-applicable detection of Plasmodium species in symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria.

ABSTRACT: Asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium parasites hamper malaria control and eradication. Achieving malaria eradication requires ultrasensitive diagnostics for low parasite density infections (<100 parasites per microliter blood) that work in resource-limited settings (RLS). Sensitive point-of-care diagnostics are also lacking for nonfalciparum malaria, which is characterized by lower density infections and may require additional therapy for radical cure. Molecular methods, such as PCR, have high sensitivity and specificity, but remain high-complexity technologies impractical for RLS. Here we describe a CRISPR-based diagnostic for ultrasensitive detection and differentiation of Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae

SUBMITTER: Lee RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7568265 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature