BALTIMORE, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. medical researchers have developed a test for detecting the malaria parasite in human urine and saliva.
The scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Malaria Research Institute say although not a diagnostic test for determining treatment, the method could potentially reduce the need for blood sampling in epidemiological studies when large-scale malaria screening is required.
The researchers note blood drawing must be performed by trained personnel, whereas urine and salvia sampling does not.
"Testing urine or saliva could be an easier and safer way to collect the information needed for studying malaria in communities," said Dr. David Sullivan, senior author of the research. "For instance, it could be used in studies to determine if a population is growing resistant to malaria drugs, which is a very serious problem."
The research was detailed online in the Nov. 8 edition of the Malaria Journal.
