Article | KEMRI testing bilharzia rapid test kit
Scientists at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) are testing the CAA bilharzia rapid testing kit that will give results in 20 minutes.
Currently, bilharzia is detected by examination of faeces and/or urine samples under the microscope to check for eggs. Where infection has been controlled, determining the infection status of individuals by use of a microscope becomes difficult because of few eggs. Poor detection of infection can result in premature termination of control activities and resumption of disease.
According to Prof Sammy Kariuki, to support control and/or elimination of bilharzia, new and better tests for detecting the disease are needed.
Frozen blood
“To address this gap, the FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, together with other partners, are developing a new test, known as the SCH CAA RDT, which can be used in the field and has a quick turnaround time to get results, ” Prof Sammy Kariuki said.
The development of the SCH CAA RDT has been mainly been done using frozen blood samples, but before the new test is cleared for manufacturing, it needs to be tested using fresh samples.
