Malaria remains one of the most acute global public health problems. 94% of cases and 95% of mortality worldwide occur in the African region. Most infected individuals do not exhibit clinical symptoms, and due to the low concentration of parasites, they cannot be diagnosed with standard rapid tests. These “asymptomatic carriers”contribute to the spread of malaria, which critically complicates the elimination of the disease.
Research conducted by scientists from West Africa and the United Kingdom has introduced a new, fast, and portable diagnostic test for malaria called Dragonfly. It can detect asymptomatic, hidden infections in less than 45 minutes with over 95% diagnostic accuracy. This achievement will be a turning point for malaria control, as it facilitates diagnostics in hard-to-reach areas where laboratory services are unavailable.
How Does Dragonfly Work?
The Dragonfly testing process involves two main stages:
Rapid DNA Extraction: The process begins with a small volume of blood obtained from a finger prick. The test then uses a special magnetic system, SmartLid, to directly isolate the parasite’s DNA from the blood. This innovative approach makes it possible to isolate DNA without the need for additional laboratory equipment (such as a centrifuge), simplifying sample preparation and reducing its duration to 10 minutes (for several samples simultaneously).
Color Change as the Final Result: After extraction, the DNA is processed using the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method. Unlike traditional tests (which require cyclical temperature changes and expensive equipment), LAMP amplifies DNA at a fixed, moderate temperature using stable, lyophilized (freeze-dried) reagents. This process causes a clear chromogenic change (color change) in the test solution: a pink colorconfirms the absence of infection, while a yellow color indicates the presence of malaria DNA. This change is visible to the naked eye, eliminating the need for electronic or special reading devices.
In analyzing 672 blood samples from communities in The Gambia and Burkina Faso, Dragonfly showed exceptional diagnostic accuracy. It was able to identify over 95% of infections, including almost all cases where the concentration of parasites was minimal (which standard rapid tests often fail to detect). The entire procedure, from sample collection to the final result, is completed in less than 45 minutes and allows for the parallel processing of several samples. The device uses minimal power (via batteries or solar panels), making it optimal for testing in hard-to-reach areas.
This technology has great potential. In addition to Africa, it can also be used in remote parts of the Brazilian Amazon, where access to laboratory services presents a similarly serious challenge. By providing rapid, Point-of-Care Testing for malaria, even in asymptomatic individuals, Dragonfly will help halt the spread of this deadly pathology.
Future research will test the device in real field conditions and, after refinement, turn it into a fully autonomous (self-contained) kit, the production of which can be carried out by local communities in malaria-endemic regions.
Source: nature communications
