Tropical infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, yellow fever, and Dengue affect more than 2 billion people worldwide. Also included in this list are the so-called “Neglected Tropical Diseases” or NTD’s, a sub-group of mainly infectious diseases that occur against a background of extreme poverty. The WHO lists 17 priority Neglected Tropical Diseases, among them schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, African trypanosomiasis, and trachoma.

Awareness of the impact of these diseases (malaria alone accounts for over 600,00 deaths per year, mainly in young children) and the fact that all are treatable and preventable has spurred the global community into greater action. As a result, over the past 15 years, there has been significant progress in addressing many of these diseases. For the first time in history two licensed malaria vaccines have been rolled out and among the NTD’s, such as dracunculiasis, trachoma, and filariasis, there has been dramatic reduction in the number of cases. As of 2023 a total of 50 countries had eliminated at least one NTD.

In many cases success has been achieved through detailed mapping of disease incidence, followed by one or more rounds of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to interrupt transmission, followed by surveillance and monitoring of disease cases until such time as the drop in prevalence reaches certain agreed milestones.

As more and more countries approach suppression, elimination, or even eradication of a particular tropical disease, monitoring of these tropical infections will increasingly require practical and effective diagnostic tools. High-throughput serological assays (for antibody detection) have long been used as a means of assessing exposure to, and prevalence of, certain tropical diseases. Due to often challenging local conditions clinical samples are collected as finger-prick dried blood spots (DBS) on filter paper for later analysis in regional laboratories. This method is highly convenient and provides blood/ serum samples which are stable for many months.

For close on 40 years Cellabs has been focused on developing immunodiagnostic reagents and kits for Tropical and infectious diseases. To address the need for monitoring and surveillance of elimination and eradication programs Cellabs has introduced its DBS ELISA range, a panel of Tropical Disease ELISA kits based around its well-known TropBio filter paper collection system. Each filter paper wheel allows the accurate collection of six individual 10 ul samples of blood which can be dried, stored and safely transported for later use. Stored correctly these samples are stable for many months. The ELISA kits feature recombinant antigen sensitivity coupled with monoclonal antibody indicator specificity.

To learn more about Cellabs DBS Neglected Diseases ELISA range and other kits and reagents please visit www.cellabs.com.au or come and meet us at MEDICA, Hall 1, Booth F40, from 11-14th November.