This research topic has led to the development of new technologies to perform a rapid screening, as well as the follow-up of meningitis in neonates. This disease, in many cases, is lethal or leads to severe sequelae. The appearance of a certain concentration of leukocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is indicative of meningitis.
The possibility of detecting and evaluating the concentration of cells and, in particular, leukocytes, by high frequency ultrasound (> 20MHz) in in vitro samples has been demonstrated. We are currently developing in collaboration with the company NBS (Newborn Solutions) a high-frequency ultrasound technology for in vivo imaging of CSF through the fontanel of neonates. Partners: Newborn Solutions, Hospital La Paz, Hospital Quirón, as well as the Manhiça Health Research Center and the Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique, both through the Global Health Institute (ISGLOBAL).
Related papers
—Alba Fernández, Alberto Ibáñez, Montserrat Parrilla, Luis Elvira, Quique Bassat, Javier Jiménez. Estimation of the concentration of particles in suspension based on envelope statistics of ultrasound backscattering. Ultrasonics Vol 116, 106501; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106501. Septiembre, 2021.
—Luis Elvira, Alberto Ibáñez, Alba Fernández, Carmen Durán, Montserrat Parrilla, Alicia Pose Díez de la Lastra, Quique Bassat y Javier Jiménez. A new methodology for the assessment of very low concentrations of cells in serous body fluids based on the count of Ultrasound echoes backscattered from cells. IEEE Transactions in Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency control, Vol 68, No 5, pp 1580-1592; https://doi.org/10.1109/TUFFC.2020.3041495. Mayo, 2021.
