Malaria diagnostic update: From conventional to advanced method

Abstract

Background: Update diagnostic methods play essential roles in dealing with the current global malaria situation and decreasing malaria incidence. Aim: Global malaria control programs require the availability of adequate laboratory tests in the quick and convenient field. Results: There are several methods to find out the existence of parasites within the blood. The oldest one is by microscopy, which is still a gold standard, although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have rapidly become a primary diagnostic test in many endemic areas. Because of microscopy and RDTs limitation, novel serological and molecular methods have been developed. Many kinds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provide rapid results and higher specificity and sensitivity. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and biosensing-based molecular techniques as point of care tests (POCT) will become a cost-effective approach to advance diagnostic testing. Conclusion: Despite conventional techniques are still being used in the field, the exploration and field implementation of advanced techniques for the diagnosis of malaria are still being developed rapidly.