Preliminary ex vivo evaluation of a cyclic electromagnetic patch for reducing Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia among patients at Bon Samaritain Hospital in N’Djamena, Chad

The emergence of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) threatens malaria control efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa. Alternative, non-pharmacological adjunct therapies are urgently needed. This preliminary ex vivo study evaluated the effect of a cyclically activated electromagnetic patch on P. falciparum parasitemia. Venous blood samples from three adult patients with confirmed P. falciparum infection in N’Djamena, Chad, were exposed ex vivo to a patch device activated every 30 minutes over total durations of 4, 6, and 8 hours. Thick smears were examined by microscopy before and after activation and at 24 hours. Parasitemia reduction was calculated, and control samples were maintained for comparison. A time-dependent reduction in parasitemia was observed, with up to a 93% decrease after 8 hours of activation. After 24 hours, parasitemia remained lower in patched samples (160 parasites/μL) compared to controls (728 parasites/μL). Variability in parasitemia trends during intermediate cycles and a limited sample size were noted as study constraints. These preliminary findings suggest the potential utility of electromagnetic patch technology as a complementary tool in malaria management. However, larger studies using molecular quantification and mechanistic assays are required to confirm efficacy and clarify the underlying inhibitory pathways.