CHEWING GUM DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR MALARIA
Malaria is caused by a parasite that is passed from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. After infection, the parasites (called sporozoites) travel through the bloodstream to the liver, where they mature and release another form, the merozoites. The parasites enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells.
The parasites multiply inside the red blood cells, which then break open within 48 to 72 hours, infecting more red blood cells. The first symptoms usually occur 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, though they can appear as early as 8 days or as long as a year after infection. The symptoms occur in cycles of 48 to 72 hours.
This disease is extremely widespread, especially in the tropics and subtropics places like Africa and Asia. There are approximately million people with the virus in the world, while 2 million people die from it each year. Another impending issue developing is that most of the mosquitoes carrying the disease are developing resistance to the insecticides and antibiotics. This makes it very hard for the disease to be controlled. Many of the people in malaria infested areas develop an immunity to the disease, but it makes it very hard for visitors to travel to warm areas.
Developing malaria diagnostic tests is a global health issue. The quickness of malaria makes a fast test essential. Currently, all malaria diagnostic tests, including existing rapid malaria tests, require a blood sample. The problem with these tests is that some can cause accidental infections and there are many communities that have blood taboos and believe that blood is sacred. Diagnosis by microscopes costs money to maintain facilities and train technicians, which can be hard in rural areas. Blood can also go bad being transported in warmer climates.
UCLA researcher Andrew Fung, and his research team have invented Maliva, which is a chewing gum that helps detect specific malaria antigens in saliva. The steps involved with using Maliva would include: 1. A person starts chewing on flavored piece of gum 2. The flavor of the gum stimulates saliva production, which contains various antigens and molecules made by malaria parasites. 3. The saliva would then enter the inner chambers of the gum where magnetic nanoparticles and polystyrene beads would be located. 4. The saliva’s antigens and biomarkers would then latch onto the magnetic nanoparticles. 5. After a few minutes of chewing, the gum is removed and put on a paper strip. The nanoparticles that are latched onto the malaria biomarkers and antigens, would show up as a thin line. 6. No line, no malaria.
Cost-effective, especially in poorer regions where people do not have much access to facilities and microscopic equipment. Less invasive than the process of taking blood samples. Diagnosis can be achieved within minutes Improved diagnosis accuracy prevents misuse of anti-malarial drugs and prevents development of drug resistance Can be self-administered Chewing gum is more attractive to people, especially children.
Since Maliva is just in its beginning phases, there has not been any testing done on whether the diagnostic test works. Andrew Fung and his research team hope to have a working prototype of Maliva by next year. They plan to begin field tests with the gum soon after that. Since more and more researchers are being drawn into the project, they are hoping that by being able to test for malaria faster, they will be able to control the disease a bit more. Maliva will help lead the way for a cure of malaria.
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