SAMPLE-TO-ANSWER MOBILE MALARIA MOLECULAR DIAGNOSITSTIC SYSTEM FOR RESOURCE-LIMITING AREAS

This work reports a field-deployable "sample-to-answer" molecular diagnostic system (AnyMDx) for species-specific malaria detection at the point of need. The portable nucleic acid diagnostic system uses a disposable microfluidic disc, which incorporates integrated sample preparation steps of DNA extraction, purification, elution, and amplification. Built on our previous success with highly sensitive singleplex P. falciparum detection (low detection limit of similar to 0.6 parasites/mu l) [1], here we report the specificity performances of AnyMDx for distinguishing two of the most common endemic malaria species (P. falciparum and P. vivax). The AnyMDx system is fully automated and delivers real-time multiplexed species-specific molecular answers directly from the raw blood samples within 40 minutes without any requirement of laboratory infrastructures.