Malaria detection using non-blood samples

Malaria is still a major problem in many parts of the world. Accurate diagnosis, crucial in disease control, currently relies on the microscopic detection of parasites in blood samples. This technique is invasive, increases risk of blood-borne disease transmission, and is uncomfortable for the patient. Non-invasive approaches to detect antibodies against malaria, malarial antigens, and malarial DNA in non-blood samples, i.e. saliva, urine and buccal mucosa, have been developed to overcome these problems. This review summarizes the techniques that have been used to detect malaria in non-blood samples, their sensitivities and specificities as well as the factors influencing them. The provided information may be useful for further development of highly efficient non-invasive malaria detection methods.