Infectious Diseases
Clinical Application: Tropical Diseases
Dengue
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is widespread throughout the tropics, with local variations in risk influenced by climate parameters as well as social and environmental factors. Dengue causes a wide spectrum of diseases. This can range from subclinical disease to severe flu-like symptoms in those infected. Although less common, some people develop severe dengue, which can be any number of complications associated with severe bleeding, organ impairment and/or plasma leakage. Severe dengue has a higher risk of death when not managed appropriately.
Micropoint mLabs® dengue test
Cholera
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the toxigenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 or O139. People who get cholera often have mild symptoms or no symptoms, but cholera can be severe. Approximately 1 in 10 people who get sick with cholera will develop severe symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these people, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours. It is crucial to identify cholera as it’s life-threatening and has the potential for a widespread outbreak.
Micropoint mLabs® cholera test
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening disease primarily found in tropical countries. It is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is both preventable and curable. However, without prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, a case of uncomplicated malaria can progress to a severe form of the disease, which is often fatal without treatment. Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. In 2020, an estimated 241 million people contracted malaria in 85 countries and the disease claimed approximately 627,000 lives in the same year.
Micropoint mLabs® malaria test
Shigella
Shigella infection (shigellosis) is an intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella. The main sign of shigella infection is diarrhea, which often is bloody. Shigella is very contagious. People get infected with shigella when they come in contact with and swallow small amounts of bacteria from the stool of a person who is infected with shigella. Children under age 5 are most likely to get shigella infection, but it can occur at any age.
Micropoint mLabs® shigella test
Poliovirus
Poliomyelitis is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (e.g. contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis. It largely affects children under 5 years of age.
Micropoint mLabs® poliovirus test
Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases can occur. Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests, and has been increasingly appearing in urban areas.
Micropoint mLabs® monkeypox test