Narrative Review of Diagnostic Innovations in Malaria

Kato Jumba K.

Faculty of Science and Technology Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains one of the most pressing global health challenges, with hundreds of millions of cases annually and a disproportionate impact on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for effective case management, disease surveillance, and elimination strategies. Traditional diagnostic methods such as microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) continue to play a central role, but their limitations in sensitivity, species differentiation, and field applicability highlight the need for innovation. Advances in molecular diagnostics, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and serological methods, have enhanced detection capabilities, though high costs and infrastructure requirements restrict widespread deployment. More recent innovations, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), CRISPR-based diagnostics, and portable point-of-care technologies, offer promising opportunities to overcome persistent diagnostic gaps. However, challenges remain in integrating these tools into health systems, addressing ethical issues around data privacy and informed consent, and ensuring accessibility in resource-limited settings. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on traditional and emerging malaria diagnostic technologies, examines their strengths and weaknesses, and explores pathways to their sustainable adoption for global malaria control and eventual elimination.

Keywords: Malaria diagnostics, Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), Molecular techniques (PCR, LAMP), Next-generation sequencing (NGS), and Point-of-care innovations.

CITE AS: Kato Jumba K. (2025). Narrative Review of Diagnostic Innovations in Malaria. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 5(3):181-194. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJSES/2025/531181194