Malaria

Software can diagnose dengue, malaria

NEW DELHI: Diagnosis and treatment of dengue,malaria and other viral fevers—the most common illnesses witnessed during the monsoon season—is set for a paradigm change. In a major breakthrough, a group of doctors in collaboration with a Russia-based laboratory have developed a software to identify the disease within an hour by analyzing the white blood cells of the patient.

This, doctors say, will reduce the need for the patient to undergo multiple tests to confirm the diagnosis which often resulted in delay in treatment.

According to Dr Manorama Bhargava, lead researcher and chairperson of the department of haematology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, they have developed software programs which will analyze the volume, conductivity and other parameters of the leucocytes or white blood cells to generate electronic flags to trigger-specific testing .

"The new technology involves a complete blood count of the patient which is analyzed to pinpoint its possible causes including dengue, malaria and other viral fevers. The results are out within an hour following which one can go for specific testing for the disease," she said. The results of their study, Bhargava added, have been published in the latest issue of International Journal of Laboratory Haematology. The study was conducted on 114 malaria patients, 105 dengue patients, and 105 febrile controls from April 2010 to March 2011. A senior doctor said, "Leukocyte abnormalities quantified by automated analyzers successfully identi?ed malaria and dengue and distinguished them from other fevers."

"At present, a person suffering from high fever has to go through multiple tests such as complete blood count, peripheral blood smears for malarial parasite, malaria antigen and NSI antigen for dengue, among others, to diagnose whether he or she is suffering from dengue, malaria or viral fever. The cost involved is anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 and there is delay in treatment," he said.

Dr Chand S Wattal, head of the microbiology department at the hospital, said malaria and dengue are difficult to distinguish from one another as both have similar symptoms, peak in incidence in northern India during monsoon and post-monsoon periods and may be accompanied by low platelet count and progression to shock. In 2012, at least four people died from dengue in the national capital and about 2,000 were diagnosed positive for the disease.

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