Sysmex America is introducing the XN-30 automated hematology analyzer for malaria detection. The research use only (RUO) system uses specialized reagents, a violet laser, and advanced algorithms.
The company said Plasmodium falciparum from nonfalciparum species are differentiated by the analyzer. The system can also determine the life cycle staging of the parasites detected.
Sysmex is touting XN-30 RUO's ability to report the level of parasitemia in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) sample in as little as one minute, with a sensitivity as low as 20 malaria-infected red blood cells per microliter.
The analyzer is designed to improve the productivity of research labs that are currently using manual microscopy for detection of malaria, or that rely on rapid diagnostic tests to screen symptomatic patients. Sysmex said that minimal training is required to use the system.