Field-Based Flow Cytometry for Ex VivoCharacterization of Plasmodium vivaxand P. falciparumAntimalarial Sensitivity

ABSTRACTEx vivoantimalarial sensitivity testing in human malaria parasites has largely depended on microscopic determination of schizont maturation. While this microscopic method is sensitive, it suffers from poor precision and is laborious. The recent development of portable, low-cost cytometers has allowed us to develop and validate a simple, field-optimized protocol using SYBR green and dihydroethidium for the accurate and objective determination of antimalarial drug sensitivity in freshly isolated Plasmodium vivaxand Plasmodium falciparum.