Molecular Diagnostic Test to Detect Dengue from Saliva Samples in 30 Minutes

Dengue fever is a viral illness triggered by the dengue virus (DENV), a mosquito-carried RNA virus from the Flaviviridae family, under the Flavivirus genus. Every year, as many as 400 million individuals are infected with DENV. Out of these, around 100 million fall sick, and 40,000 succumb to severe forms of dengue. Symptoms of dengue fever usually show up 4 to 7 days following a mosquito bite and can range from mild to severe. These symptoms commonly include a high fever, intense headache often felt behind the eyes, pain in joints and muscles, skin rashes, and minor bleeding episodes like nosebleeds or bleeding gums. In extreme instances, the condition can escalate to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS), both of which are life-threatening.

Roughly half the global population, about 4 billion people, reside in regions at risk for dengue infection. DENV is a major public health issue in numerous tropical and subtropical areas globally, such as parts of Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America. Testing for DENV in remote or rural areas, particularly in low-resource settings, is a big challenge. In many instances, residents cannot travel to centralized testing facilities and rely on outreach programs for sample collection. This leads to logistical complications, such as maintaining a cold chain for sample transportation to centralized labs. Now, the introduction of a molecular diagnostic test that analyzes saliva samples and can deliver fast results on-site in less than 30 minutes could be a game-changer in DENV detection.

ReadyGo Diagnostics (Bath, UK) has entered into an agreement with Gemina Laboratories (Vancouver, Canada) for the development of a sensitive and quick DENV diagnostic assay based on saliva. ReadyGo will work on developing, optimizing, and validating a DENV detection assay for Gemina to run on ReadyGo's off-grid isothermal diagnostic platform called Geo. The Geo platform can provide results in any setting in less than half an hour and is expected to play a vital role in DENV detection within near-patient settings, which could significantly enhance patient care and outcomes.

The dengue virus has four known serotypes, each capable of causing the full spectrum of dengue symptoms. The saliva-based assay developed by ReadyGo will be able to identify all four serotypes. ReadyGo's isothermal PCR test will facilitate diagnoses of DENV from saliva samples in under 30 minutes even in remote locations. Early diagnosis can lead to prompt medical action, which is crucial for managing and avoiding complications tied to severe dengue cases. Timely medical intervention is essential for severe dengue, which constitutes a medical emergency requiring immediate clinical attention. Quick diagnosis and immediate medical treatment can mitigate complications and lower the risks associated with severe dengue.

“I'm delighted about our partnership with ReadyGo Diagnostics, which extends beyond our TB test to include the creation of a second test on the Geo platform,” said Brian Firth, CEO of Gemina. “At Gemina Labs, our mission is to develop enhanced diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. Our primary focus lies in creating efficient tests that can be utilized at the forefront of patient care, whether that involves field settings, home environments, or primary clinics. This is why ReadyGo's platform, Geo, has left a strong impression on us – particularly in its potential applications for diagnosing and managing dengue fever. I hold a strong belief that through our partnership with ReadyGo, we'll have the capability to produce a rapid and precise solution for detecting DENV, ultimately leading to tangible improvements in patient outcomes."

"We are delighted to further our collaboration with Gemina to develop a sensitive and quick DENV diagnostic assay,” added Ben Cobb, CEO of ReadyGo Diagnostics. “There is a pressing need for a decentralized test, particularly in resource-constrained areas. ReadyGo has some really innovative technology and we are fully dedicated to becoming the preferred development partner for companies striving to design straightforward and economical molecular diagnostic solutions across various contexts.”

Related Links:
Gemina Laboratories
ReadyGo Diagnostics