-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
malaria based test kit
Date:
Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:48:21 +0530
From:
samir somaiya
Hi,
I was a mid-career MPA 2005. At that time, I attended a seminar on
science and technology by Calestous Juma at the Kennedy School.
During that seminar, there was a handout regarding millennium
development goals, and also regarding public health.
Among these, there was discussion on PCR kits, specially for malaria
and other such diseases. Inspired by such discussion,
after returning to India, I sponsored 2 scientists to work on the
development of a PCR kit for malaria, that is specific as well in
determining
the type of malaria. We further partnered with an educational
institution (I am a Trustee here) http://www.somaiya.edu, and we
tested the kits
on the blood samples of suspected malaria patients.
We have since conducted 200 tests, and find that the test is far
superior to the current conventional smear test. The analysis of
the results are enclosed.
Malaria is quite a problem, in Asia as well as India. Do you guys have
any ideas how we can show case this development, so that we can examine
the potential of
making and delivering these tests.
We expect each test to not cost the patient more than $10 (at least in India).
Can you guide? Can this mail go to others in this?
Sincerely
Samir Somaiya
This underlines the importance of malaria diagnostic in endemic areas. actually the cost of microscopic diagnostic (blood smear) is about 0,5 to 1$ (W light or fluorescence Partec rapid diagnostic test - since QBC is too expensive). Cause of emergency condition of diagnostic, the celerity of testing is another component of the test realization (the best is less than 45mn - approximative time for the conventional microscope reading).
You can contact me for discussion on the material and methods.
Serge SAWADOGO
(Burkina Faso -French)