Single-Tube Simultaneous Diagnosis of Dengue & Chikungunya

Early detection and differentiation of dengue and chikungunya infections in countries endemic for both viral diseases are serious public health challenges. Dengue and chikungunya present very similar early symptoms that can be difficult to differentiate without performing a diagnostic analysis but it is important to do so as the delayed clinical management of dengue can lead to adverse outcomes. Dengue and chikungunya are conventionally diagnosed by serological methods (blood testing for antibodies). However, serological tests are generally only sensitive at least a week into an infection after sufficient antibodies have accumulated.

Advances in molecular techniques and rapid detection technology have produced diagnostic test kits for dengue and chikungunya but they are generally available separately. Having the means for the specific and simultaneous detection and differentiation of the dengue and chikungunya viruses would be ideal for clinical point-of-care. Such technology can compete in the global infectious disease in-vitro diagnostics market, which was valued at US$19 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% to exceed US$31 billion by 2026.