The Flow-S Device: A Practical Solution for Field-Based Diagnosis of Schistosoma Infection
Background:
– A new device called Flow-S has been developed to simplify the diagnosis of active Schistosoma infection in the field using urine samples.
– Current laboratory-based tests for this infection require complex pre-treatment steps that are not suitable for field use.
Key Findings:
– The prototype Flow-S device showed promising results in identifying active Schistosoma infection using urine samples.
– It integrates large-volume urine concentration and detection into a single field-deployable device, omitting the need for laboratory-based pre-treatment steps.
Value and Practical Applications:
– The Flow-S device can replace the urine pre-treatment required for existing laboratory-based tests, making it suitable for true field-based applications with fresh urine samples.
– It has potential for testing pooled urine samples, making it applicable for population stratified testing.
– Further optimization and testing with larger sample sizes are planned for the Flow-S device to enhance its efficacy in field settings.
