MANILA, Philippines — A group of health experts has developed a groundbreaking technology aimed at predicting complications for leptospirosis, leading to personalized treatment.
Scientists from the University of the Philippines Manila National Institutes of Health-Institute of Human Genetics (NIH–IHG) came up with a new molecular test that measures and monitors blood molecules among leptospirosis patients and predicts who are at risk of lung bleeding.
This Complement Factor I or CFI technology allows doctors to determine which patients need more intensive care and monitoring.
The technology was developed by a group of scientists headed by Dr. Jose Nevado Jr. of NIH-IHG in collaboration with San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine General Hospital Medical Center, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, the UP College of Medicine and the UP College of Public Health.
“We developed a kit for testing for CFI levels. We offer a first-in-market technology that can predict the likelihood of deadly lung bleeding. If positive, this allows the physician to identify which patients need priority care proactively,” senior research associate Raphael Joshua de Guzman said in a statement.
He added, “Prevention is better than treatment. The test helps optimize health care resources by efficiently identifying individuals at risk of requiring a longer hospital stay.”
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria that is found in water contaminated by the urine of affected rats. It poses a major problem, especially during the rainy season.
Locally, more than 4,000 cases are recorded annually, with an estimated 10 to 15 percent mortality.
Without treatment, leptospirosis in humans can lead to kidney failure or damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, difficulty in breathing and even death.
Patients experience fever, headache, chills, body or muscle aches, vomiting or nausea and yellowed skin and eyes.
Lung hemorrhage is associated with about 80 percent mortality despite standard therapy.
“The current problem is that physicians cannot predict who will become severely affected by leptospirosis. Worst, it affects people in the prime stage of their lives, aged 20 to 40,” De Guzman said.
He stressed that early recognition of complications can lead to more focused monitoring and initiation of preventive strategies.
The IHG has patented the CFI biomarker tests both locally and internationally.
De Guzman announced the availability of a working prototype that has been validated with two independent groups.
He added, “The next step is to register with the local Food and Drug Administration and seek international partners for distribution.”
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