CHOP Receives Funding from Philanthropic Organization for Identification of Malaria Breath Biomarkers

By Kate Knab

Audrey Odom John, MD, PhD, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, and her research team received a $1 million grant from the Gates Foundation to collect and refine breath volatile biomarkers when screening for malaria. Their goal is to reduce malaria transmission by advancing the development of a noninvasive odor-based test — think malaria breathalyzer —  to detect the malaria-causing parasite, P. falciparum, in patients who may be asymptomatic.

“We are thrilled to have this support,” said Dr. John, who is also Co-director of the Immunology and Infectious Disease Research Initiative. “We have worked for years to develop a ‘malaria breathalyzer,’ and this multinational study is the critical next step to bring that to a reality.”

Current diagnostic tests for malaria involve blood sampling and have poor sensitivity to a low density of parasites. This alternative test could offer rapid detection and capture more sensitive biomarkers emitted by the breath and skin, making it a useful tool in the diagnosis of low-density malaria.  

The John Laboratory will build upon their previous research that identified changes in breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) caused by Plasmodium spp. infection in children with malaria to determine if asymptomatic patients also experience a similar, distinct host odor profile.

To do this, Dr. John and her team will evaluate the performance of previously identified VOC biomarkers in the context of asymptomatic patients, as well as perform volatilomics of breath and skin to identify new parasitemia-associated biomarkers that could potentially be added to screenings to increase early detection and reduce rates of transmission.

Learn more in CHOP News.