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by Florian Lapierre, PhD, Microsampling Product Director on Oct 30, 2024 1:10:13 PM
Furthermore, the device's ease of use enables widespread specimen collection across large populations. This device is so easy to use that any healthcare provider, not only specially trained surgeons, can utilize it, making it ideal for field studies in remote or resource-limited settings. This broad applicability supports large-scale epidemiological studies and enhances disease surveillance efforts.3
Third-party source publications:
1. Kirstein, O.D., et al. (2017). "Minimally invasive microbiopsies: a novel sampling method for identifying asymptomatic, potentially infectious carriers of Leishmania donovani." Int J Parasitol 47(10-11): 609-616.
2. Owen, S.I., et al. (2021). "Evaluation of qPCR on blood and skin microbiopsies, peripheral blood buffy coat smear, and urine antigen ELISA for diagnosis and test of cure for visceral leishmaniasis in HIV- coinfected patients in India: a prospective cohort study." BMJ Open 11(4): e042519.
3. Churiso,G.,et al. (2020). "Minimally Invasive Microbiopsies as an Improved Sampling Method for the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis." Open Forum Infect Dis 7(9): ofaa364.See the complete publication list here.
ethical and medical considerations for improving patient comfort
Minimizing patient discomfort is a pivotal ethical consideration in medical research. The Harpera Microbiopsy Punch can improve the patient experience while ensuring a quick, painless, non-scarring skin sampling experience. This is especially critical in studies involving vulnerable populations or in conditions like HIV. Study participants are more likely to consent to repeated sampling when it's non-invasive. Thus, the potential of Microbiopsy procedures to enable more accessible studies represents a future paradigm shift in public health management.
challenges in adopting new biopsy technologies
The logistical benefits of Microbiopsy are significant in the context of infectious diseases, particularly in low-income countries. However, cost remains a critical factor. Current pricing models for the Harpera device and any associated genetic tests of skin samples are prohibitive for widespread adoption in low-income regions.
Efforts are underway to develop cost-effective tests, such as Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) or Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays, which could revolutionize field diagnostics by reducing costs and enabling remote testing.
Currently, the Harpera is mainly utilized within funded research groups, highlighting the need for price adjustments to make this innovative device accessible for broader public health applications. Adoption of new biopsy technologies like the Harpera Microbiopsy Punch face several challenges:
- Understanding Microbiopsy Potential: A more comprehensive understanding of the range of applications for Microbiopsy is needed, particularly concerning the adequacy of the skin specimen material for detecting bacterial, viral, fungal DNA, among others.
- Workflow Standardization: Success in one research setting doesn't guarantee reproducibility or cost-efficiency elsewhere, highlighting the need for standardized procedures that are adaptable globally.
- Cost and Awareness: The primary market for infectious disease applications in low-income regions requires affordable solutions, not just for the biopsy procedure itself, but also for the necessary analytical tests.
- Educational Gaps: Dermatologists and other healthcare providers need greater exposure to the benefits and interpretations of molecular tests compared to traditional histopathology reports.
These factors underscore the need for ongoing education, cost management, and technological refinement to ensure that new biopsy methods like Microbiopsy using the Harpera device can be effectively integrated into global health strategies.
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