Method and kits are provided determining the presence or absence of parasitic helminth eggs in environmental samples, particularly fecal samples. The methods incorporate egg capture methods and the use of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine specific ligands for egg detection.

A portable rapid diagnostic test reader system includes a mobile phone having a camera and one or more processors contained within the mobile phone and a modular housing configured to mount to the mobile phone. The modular housing including a receptacle configured to receive a sample tray holding a rapid diagnostic test. At least one illumination source is disposed in the modular housing and located on one side of the rapid diagnostic test. An optical demagnifier is disposed in the modular housing interposed between the rapid diagnostic test and the mobile phone camera.

The present disclosure relates to the field of medical technology, which provides methods and apparatuses for identifying red blood cells infected by plasmodium. The methods may include: obtaining a forward-scattered light signal, a side-scattered light signal and an optional fluorescence signal from cells in a blood sample; obtaining a first two-dimensional scattergram according to the forward-scattered light signal and the side-scattered light signal, or obtaining a three-dimensional scattergram according to the forward-scattered light signal, the side-scattered light signal and the fluorescence signal; and identifying cells located in a predetermined area of the first two-dimensional scattergram or the three-dimensional scattergram as the red blood cells infected by plasmodium. The apparatuses perform the methods. The methods and apparatuses can have better identification accuracy.

The present invention, in at least some embodiments, is of a system, method, apparatus and diagnostic test for monitoring infections by Plasmodium falciparum that is specific for pregnant women. The monitoring is performed by examining samples from the pregnant women, typically blood samples, for the presence of antibodies to a known P. falciparum protein, VAR2CSA. Preferably, the antibodies bind specifically to p5 and/or p8.

The present invention relates to a vaccine V comprising (A) at least one isolated polypeptide strand P comprising or consisting of at least nine consecutive amino acid moieties of the repetitive organellar protein, putative of Plasmodium falciparum or the hypothetical protein PVNG_04523 of Plasmodium vivax or a polynucleotide strand encoding for such polypeptide; and (B) at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Furthermore, the present invention refers to an antibody binding to the repetitive organellar protein,putative of Plasmodium falciparumor the hypothetical protein PVNG_04523 of Plasmodium vivax or a polynucleotide strand encoding therefor, to a method of generating such antibody and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to biomarker sensors with a multielectrode array structure, kits containing them, methods for their production as well as corresponding uses and applications.

The invention provides a bioactive peptide including a partial amino acid sequence of Plasmodium falciparum enolase, and having a molecular structure compatible with a specification setting for a GMP-compliant production process. The peptide has a structure in which two peptides, each having an amino acid sequence of A01-Ala-Ser-Glu-Phe-Tyr-Asn-Ser-Glu-Asn-Lys-Thr-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Asp-Phe-Lys-Thr-Pro-Asn-Asn-Asp-A02 (SEQ ID NO: 1) or A03-Ala-Ser-Glu-Phe-Tyr-Asn-Ser-Glu-Asn-Lys-Thr-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Asp-Phe-Lys-Thr-Pro-Asn-Asn-Asp-Lys-Ser-Leu-Val-Lys-Thr-A04 (SEQ ID NO: 2) are linked by amide bonds between the respective carboxy termini of the two peptides and two amino groups of Lys in a linker peptide represented by Lys-A05-Cys-A06 and arranged in the form of a two-forked branch, wherein each of A01 to A06 represents an amino acid residue in a number of an arbitrary number including 0. The peptide preferably has a dimerized structure in which two of the above described peptides are linked by an SS bond between the Cys residues in the linker peptide sequences included in the respective two peptides.

Several microfluidic chips are used to significantly accelerate the time to identify and quantify microbes in a biological sample and test them for antibiotic resistance, particularly for urinary tract infections. A first microfluidic chip uses antibody or similar probes to identify and quantify any microbes present. The same or a similar chip uses antibody or similar probes to identify microbes with DNA or RNA known to indicate antibiotic resistance. Another microfluidic chip tests for antibiotic susceptibility of any microbes by growing them in very small wells in the presence of antibiotics, reducing the time required for such testing by as much as 95%. Another microfluidic chip runs traditional urinalysis or similar tests.

The disclosed embodiments concern non-invasive methods, and apparatus, and systems for identifying infections. The methods are predicated on identifying discriminating peptides present on a peptide array, which are differentially bound by the different mixtures of antibodies present in samples from subjects consequent to an infection relative to binding of mixtures of antibodies present in reference subjects.

The present invention provides an in vitro method for concentrating infectious pathogens found in a biological sample obtained from an individual who is suspected of being infected with the pathogens. Provided herein is also an in vitro method for reducing or eliminating blood cells from a sample obtained from an individual suspected to being infected with an infectious pathogen. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing malaria and a method for determining if an individual is infected with a pathogen. Provided herein is also a concentrator and a kit for use with the methods.