With this test need a needle, a little saliva and a smartphone sufficient to detect type 2 diabetes affecting 9% of adults worldwide.
Detect type 2 diabetes through a saliva sample and a smartphone.
It may soon be possible thanks to a prototype developed by researchers from the TEC de Monterrey (Mexico), in partnership with a team from University of Houston (USA), they announced in a press release. It is aimed primarily at improving prevention among the most disadvantaged populations who do not have access to care.
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, a disorder characterized by assimilation use and storage of sugars provided by food, reaching 9% of adults worldwide in 2014 and was responsible in 2012,15 million deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Over 80% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income.
Diagnosed several years after onset, type 2 diabetes can damage the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, eyes, and nerves. Diabetes proved when, twice the level of sugar in the blood is greater than or equal 1.26 grams per liter, according to the WHO.
As simple as a pregnancy test
“This tool is as simple as using a pregnancy test”, is delighted the project coordinator, Dr. Marco Antonio Palomares Rite. And very fast, with a result in seconds.
Scientists do not provide an illustration of the test in the release but give some elements on its manual, a micro cartridge containing a saliva sample is embedded in a smartphone.
If the user suffers from type 2 diabetes, a compound present in the saliva reacts by becoming fluorescent, through an enzymatic reaction.
“We wanted a tool that can identify a biomarker in a sample of saliva and is capable of emitting fluorescent light so that the camera of a mobile phone saves, “says project coordinator Dr. Marco Antonio Rite Palomares.
This prototype should definitely be operational within two years.
The research team, which is currently concluding its development phase, hoping soon to turn to the mass production phase. Provided that this object, primarily to simplify the lives of patients, interested manufacturers.