Overview

• In a five-week field study of 266 asymptomatic volunteers in Ghana, the paper-based device achieved 96.5% sensitivity compared with 17% for microscopy and 43% for rapid diagnostic tests.
• The test identified 184 positive cases versus 142 by PCR and generated 47 false positives that researchers have since addressed through device refinements.
• Embedded chemical reagents on the paper strips capture malaria antigens from a drop of blood and deliver results via handheld mass spectrometry in about 30 minutes.
• The device’s stability at ambient temperatures allows used strips to be stored and shipped without refrigeration, overcoming cold-chain challenges in remote areas.
• Discussions with Ghana’s government aim to integrate the tool into national malaria surveillance, and the platform is being adapted to detect biomarkers for other diseases.