Malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease, remains as a global burden despite all the medical advances. Though preventable and treatable it kills some 881,000 people every year. Examination of blood sample is perhaps the most common way of detecting malarial parasite. The peripheral blood smear examination is often regarded as the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of malaria.
Measurement of antibodies reflects exposure to parasites. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to pathogens. Antibodies are routinely measured in sera or on dried blood spots. Studies were performed in two countries: Tanzania and Gambia. These aimed at developing a non-invasive method would provide extra utility in sampling general populations. Saliva is already in use in the detection of viral infections. Blood and saliva samples from the same individuals were collected in unlinked surveys conducted in Tanzania and Gambia. A total of 253 samples were studies. Results were encouraging. Data demonstrate anti- malarial antibodies can be detected in saliva. Antibody levels in saliva correlate strongly with levels in plasma.
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