Preliminary <i>ex vivo</i> evaluation of a cyclic electromagnetic patch for reducing <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> 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.