NIH Researchers Develop PCR Assay for Easier Diagnosis of River Blindness

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that can diagnose river blindness more easily and accurately than previous methods. The assay is described in a study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases journal.

River blindness, also known as onchocerciasis, is a parasitic disease that affects over 20 million people worldwide. The disease is caused by a worm called Onchocerca volvulus, which is spread through the bite of black flies.

River blindness can cause various health problems, including skin lesions, itching, and blindness. The disease is most common in Africa, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

The current diagnostic test for river blindness is a skin snip test, which involves removing a small sample of skin and looking for the presence of the parasite. The skin snip test is accurate, but it is also invasive and can be painful.

The new PCR assay developed by NIH researchers is a non-invasive test that can be performed on a blood or urine sample. The assay is also more sensitive than the skin snip test, meaning it is more likely to detect the parasite in infected people.

The NIH researchers believe that the new PCR assay could revolutionize the diagnosis of river blindness. The assay could make diagnosing the disease in endemic areas easier and more accurate and could also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment programs.

NIH researchers have developed a new PCR assay that can be used to diagnose river blindness more easily and accurately than previous methods. The assay could revolutionize the diagnosis of river blindness in endemic areas.