The development serological markers for detecting recent Plasmodium vivax infection has been successful
The international research group comprising of Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University’s Dr. Eizo Takashima, Dr. Masayuki Morita, and Dr. Takafumi Tsuboi along with CellFree Sciences Co., Ltd.’s Dr. Matthias Harbers succeeded in developing a serological diagnostic marker that can identify those with dormant liver stage infections, which are the causes of Plasmodium vivax recurrences.
This result has been achieved by an international joint research project with the main members including Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, CellFree Sciences Co., Ltd., The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Pasteur Institute, and Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND).
Further, this project was started with assistance from the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) between October 2015 and March 2017.
This research result allows the diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax’s dormant liver stage parasites which has been a difficult challenge in eliminating malaria, for the first time in the world. It can be seen as an important result to safely and effectively promote the treatment.
The paper regarding this research result has been published on the May 12th (Tues.) 2020 issue of the Nature Medicine.
Development and validation of serological markers for detecting recent Plasmodium vivax infection
