Malaria detection test / Photo: mrfiza / shutterstock
Researchers in Yucatan are developing a prototype for the detection of at least 10 vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, Chagas, Chikungunya and malaria, among others.
The director of the Center for Regional Research ‘Hideyo Noguchi’ of the Autonomous University of Yucatan (UADY), Jorge Zavala Castro, explained that the project called “Detection Methods of Vector Transmitted Pathogens Vector Using Microarrays ETV’s” won the contest ‘Incentives for Innovation’ granted by the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). Seven million pesos (around 455,000 USD) will be invested in the first stage of this project.
Zavala Castro said that the project will include specialists from the Center he directs, and also specialists from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, the Latino University of Yucatan and the private company Biobird.
The prototype, he explained, is developed through the study of the human genome; and it will identify more precisely, the type of pathology a person infected by a vector has, which can be vital to save lives.
Now, he continued, with only one test it will be possible to determine the condition afflicting the patient, saving not only money but valuable time to apply a treatment and achieve successful results.
“Symptoms of these diseases are many times similar. For example, dengue symptoms are very similar to those of hemorrhagic dengue, only the second is more deadly and usually requires a specific and different treatment,” he said.
He said it will be in 2016 when the prototype will be finished, but until five or seven years the technology will be available in any health unit.
The specialist said that, in a long term, the project aims to advance to the extent this technology for detection of chronic degenerative diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and obesity. He said that to reach that stage, it will be necessary more resources, also funded by public and private institutions, as it was estimated that the entire project would cost just over 21 million pesos (1.36 million USD proximately).
“The overall objective is to design a tool based on DNA technology for early detection of multiple pathogens, and in this first stage, vector-borne diseases of medical importance in Mexico,” he said.
This prototype will identify, within two hours, the patient’s disease, helping to establish a better care. This is a real innovation in the field of medicine, he said.
Source: Agencia ID
