Microfluidic approaches to malaria detection.
Acta Trop
; 89(3): 357-69, 2004 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14744562
ABSTRACT
Microfluidic systems are under development to address a variety of medical problems. Key advantages of micrototal analysis systems based on microfluidic technology are the promise of small size and the integration of sample handling and measurement functions within a single, automated device having low mass-production costs. Here, we review the spectrum of methods currently used to detect malaria, consider their advantages and disadvantages, and discuss their adaptability towards integration into small, automated micro total analysis systems. Molecular amplification methods emerge as leading candidates for chip-based systems because they offer extremely high sensitivity, the ability to recognize malaria species and strain, and they will be adaptable to the detection of new genotypic signatures that will emerge from current genomic-based research of the disease. Current approaches to the development of chip-based molecular amplification are considered with special emphasis on flow-through PCR, and we present for the first time the method of malaria specimen preparation by dielectrophoretic field-flow-fractionation. Although many challenges must be addressed to realize a micrototal analysis system for malaria diagnosis, it is concluded that the potential benefits of the approach are well worth pursuing.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Technology Assessment, Biomedical
/
Microfluidics
/
Malaria
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Health_technology_assessment
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Acta Trop
Year:
2004
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States