Black light could help diagnose parasites

A special dye that can be made to help diagnose very deadly parasites. Its main selling point beyond its function is its cost. It is very cheap to produce so that any person use regardless of economic status. It reacts with trypanosomes. They are responsible for chagas disease and sleeping sickness. Infection causes the dye to shine florescent green that can be seen under a black light.“Early diagnosis is the key to improving treatment of these diseases,” said Ellen Beaulieu. Trypanosomes infects millions and death rate only seconds to malaria in terms of parasites. The current tests for the parasites are expensive and require technicians and equipment. The dye can be used by anyone and the dye is cheap. Strips coated with the dye are used by health care workers. Using a reducing agent and serum, they dunk the the strip into a mixture and it glows florescent green the person is infected. Drugs are administered as needed. Leishmaniasis is a disease seen in the developing world but recently soldiers in Iraq have been infected causing a scare. It is not ready for the field but it the research is promising.
This was an interesting article. Anything to make medical care simpler and cheaper for everyone is always good. It give better access and less hassle for those using it. Hopefully it will be out in the field in soon.

Read More http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/trypanosometest/#ixzz0nHTFN6FD