Autoscope for the laboratory detection of malaria parasites
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Autoscope for the laboratory detection of malaria parasites - A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
186045
Contact name
Peter L Chiodini
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Malaria is a tropical disease caused by parasites called Plasmodium infecting a person’s red blood cells. Diagnosis of malaria is made by a blood test. After it has been taken, the person’s blood is examined on a glass slide using a special stain. The method used at present uses a microscope and a highly trained technician.
Expert technicians are in short supply and take a long time to get their expertise as their brain has to learn all the different appearances that malaria parasites can take and distinguish them from things which can mimic malaria. If it were possible to teach a computer to do that it would mean that truly excellent malaria microscopy would be available more widely than it is at present. Autoscope is an automatic microscope linked to a computer, instead of a person and tries to do that.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/HRA/0137
Date of REC Opinion
8 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion