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Revolutionary Malaria Tests Have Unexpected Downsides
Article

Revolutionary Malaria Tests Have Unexpected Downsides

Despite rapid tests, health workers undertreat malaria – and overuse antibiotics – a big new study shows

Science, 2017

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Scientific
  • Overview
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

With the availability of a simple test to detect malaria and a therapy to treat it effectively, the disease should no longer be a major public health issue. In fact, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have revolutionized malaria treatment in poor areas of Africa and South Asia. However, a meta-study reveals undesirable effects that accompany the benefits. Leslie Roberts, a deputy news editor at Science Magazine, discusses the underlying issues, points out the needs, and cites medical experts. getAbstract recommends this article to anyone interested in public health issues.

Take-Aways

  • Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) reliably detect malaria parasites in a drop of blood.
  • Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are effective in treating malaria. However, overuse could render them ineffective due to drug resistance.
  • In poor areas in Africa and South Asia, the use of RDTs reduced ACT prescriptions as intended. Surprisingly, the number of antibiotic prescriptions increased.

About the Author

Leslie Roberts is a deputy news editor at Science Magazine where she supervises the biology writing team. Her recent articles focus on infectious diseases in poor countries.