Key considerations, target product profiles, and research gaps in the application of infrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence for malaria surveillance and diagnosis
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Published:2023-11-10
Issue:1
Volume:22
Page:
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ISSN:1475-2875
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Container-title:Malaria Journal
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Malar J
Author:
Mshani Issa H.,Siria Doreen J.,Mwanga Emmanuel P.,Sow Bazoumana BD.,Sanou Roger,Opiyo Mercy,Sikulu-Lord Maggy T.,Ferguson Heather M.,Diabate Abdoulaye,Wynne Klaas,González-Jiménez Mario,Baldini Francesco,Babayan Simon A.,Okumu Fredros
Abstract
AbstractStudies on the applications of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and machine learning (ML) in public health have increased greatly in recent years. These technologies show enormous potential for measuring key parameters of malaria, a disease that still causes about 250 million cases and 620,000 deaths, annually. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the combination of IR spectroscopy and machine learning (ML) can yield accurate predictions of epidemiologically relevant parameters of malaria in both laboratory and field surveys. Proven applications now include determining the age, species, and blood-feeding histories of mosquito vectors as well as detecting malaria parasite infections in both humans and mosquitoes. As the World Health Organization encourages malaria-endemic countries to improve their surveillance-response strategies, it is crucial to consider whether IR and ML techniques are likely to meet the relevant feasibility and cost-effectiveness requirements—and how best they can be deployed. This paper reviews current applications of IR spectroscopy and ML approaches for investigating malaria indicators in both field surveys and laboratory settings, and identifies key research gaps relevant to these applications. Additionally, the article suggests initial target product profiles (TPPs) that should be considered when developing or testing these technologies for use in low-income settings.
Funder
European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program
Royal Society
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Rudolf Geigy Foundation through Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Parasitology
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