Counterflow dielectrophoresis for trypanosome enrichment and detection in blood

Menachery, A., Kremer, C., Wong, P.E., Carlsson, A., Neale, S.L. , Barrett, M.P. and Cooper, J.M. (2012) Counterflow dielectrophoresis for trypanosome enrichment and detection in blood. Scientific Reports, 2, 775. (doi: 10.1038/srep00775) (PMID:23105971) (PMCID:PMC3481117)

Abstract

Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is a deadly disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, caused by single-celled protozoan parasites. Although it has been targeted for elimination by 2020, this will only be realized if diagnosis can be improved to enable identification and treatment of afflicted patients. Existing techniques of detection are restricted by their limited field-applicability, sensitivity and capacity for automation. Microfluidic-based technologies offer the potential for highly sensitive automated devices that could achieve detection at the lowest levels of parasitemia and consequently help in the elimination programme. In this work we implement an electrokinetic technique for the separation of trypanosomes from both mouse and human blood. This technique utilises differences in polarisability between the blood cells and trypanosomes to achieve separation through opposed bi-directional movement (cell counterflow). We combine this enrichment technique with an automated image analysis detection algorithm, negating the need for a human operator.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wong, Dr Pui Ee and Neale, Professor Steven and Carlsson, Dr Allan and Cooper, Professor Jonathan and Menachery, Dr Anoop and Barrett, Professor Michael
• Authors: Menachery, A., Kremer, C., Wong, P.E., Carlsson, A., Neale, S.L., Barrett, M.P., and Cooper, J.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Published Online: 26 October 2012
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2012 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 2:775
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License