Accuplex Device in Successful Application to Aid Detection of Sepsis in Newborn Babies
28th September 2023
Accuplex are delighted announce the successful outcome of their participation in a Science Foundation/Irish AID (Irish Aid SFI) sponsored project which aims to improve detection of and reduce mortality due to sepsis in newborn babies, a major problem in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).
In Ireland approximately 20 babies succumb to sepsis each year. In Uganda, mortality due to sepsis exceeds 6500 babies each year, and many more die as result of infections. In both Uganda as well as other LMICs, many babies are born in locations where access to lab tests is either limited or totally unavailable.
Accuplex supplied a novel diagnostic device to a team of researchers from Maynooth University (Maynooth University ) and Makerere University Hospital in Uganda. The device detects a biomarker of infection, Serum Amyloid a, recognized as a very useful early warning sign of sepsis in newborn babies. The significant advantage of the Accuplex device is the ability to use anywhere, the speed of results (less than 10 minutes) and the requirement for a tiny drop of blood taken from the heel. The device has been successfully trialed on over 900 infants with a successful outcome and its use is now under further investigation to aid the decision to administer or to discontinue administration of antibiotics, helping address another growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Accuplex are now working towards expanding the application of the test to other LMICs where the incidence of neonatal mortality is as bad if not worse than currently experienced in Uganda
The test, NeoSep-SAA™, will require full regulatory approval before it can be used for routine use as a support to detect infection and sepsis in babies. However, the test is currently available for “Research Use Only” (Meath Chronicle)
For more information contact info@accuplexdiagnostics.com
