Summary: Learn the new method that will be used to help doctors diagnose malaria.
Traditionally, we’ve relied on stained slides of human blood to perform a diagnosis on malaria patients. This isn’t just slow; it’s costly and carries transmission risks as well. The process itself is cheap, but it is also labor intensive and isn’t always effective. However, new techniques are beginning to utilize a molecular beacon probe to perform the complicated job of identifying and diagnosing malaria. Here’s how it all works.
Real-Time Technology
Most of the time, scientists and techs were waiting on lab results and testing was extending time lines. This was neither efficient nor reliable. Recent advances in real-time polymerase reactions have enabled the use of more complicated (but more effective) methods for spotting abnormalities. One of the methods used is to dye the specimen in something detectable only on the FAM wavelength, which would help identify potential abnormalities faster.
The beacon probe acts like a label. It helps detect and quantify molecules associated with human malaria. The dyes used are non-specific to human DNA, which is a bit like examining stains under a black light. When the technician observes these changes, it’s fairly obvious what is going on.
Because the process occurs in real-time, patients get results faster and doctors can prescribe treatments that save lives.
Advantages
This technology is not 100% effective, but no technology can offer that level of certainty. What can be gained is the ability to identify infections, as well as the potential to exclude cross-contamination. This process is safer, faster and will lead to less work on the part of medical technicians.