# Non-invasive detection of malaria parasites in vitro and in Cameroonian adults

> **NIH NIH R21** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $245,063

## Abstract

Project Summary
Malaria remains the leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality by a single pathogen in sub-Saharan
African children despite great progress in the past two decades. While the advent of rapid diagnostic tests has
been a major stride, these tests suffer from similarly inadequate sensitivity as the gold standard, microscopy,
and require a blood sample for testing. Newer molecular methods offer enhanced sensitivity, but most require
significantly higher levels of laboratory infrastructure, cost more, and take longer to perform than microscopy
and rapid diagnostic tests. Photoaccoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) is a technique that allows for the non-
invasive detection of various cell types based on photoaccoustic signals generated following laser absorption.
The device is being used currently in melanoma trials in humans and has demonstrated excellent safety. We
have pioneered its use for the non-invasive detection of malaria in laboratory settings, as well as in animal
models, and have demonstrated safety in early human studies using a portable prototype. As a follow-up, we
propose to rigorously assess the in vivo analytical performance of this portable prototype for the detection of
uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults in Cameroon. PAFC results will be compared to highly
sensitive and specific molecular assays, alongside standard diagnostic methods. Importantly, participants will
be studied longitudinally, and rigorous safety assessments will be conducted. As a second aim, we will
determine the ability of PAFC to detect and distinguish human malaria species in vitro and ex vivo through the
use of stored blood from infected individuals, in vitro culture, and microscopy slides. Overall, the proposed
studies aim to demonstrate the rapid, safe, and highly sensitive capability of PAFC for the non-invasive
detection of malaria in non-pregnant adults. Data will lay the groundwork for expanded studies by our group in
children, pregnant women, severe malaria patients, screening of asymptomatic individuals, and additional
pharmacodynamic studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10373306
- **Project number:** 1R21AI160171-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SUNIL PARIKH
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $245,063
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-25 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10373306

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10373306, Non-invasive detection of malaria parasites in vitro and in Cameroonian adults (1R21AI160171-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10373306. Licensed CC0.

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