Infectious Disease

The In2Care Mosquito Trap is a multi-impact lethal ovitrap for Aedes mosquitoes that can effectively lure, infect and contaminate female mosquitoes via auto-dissemination (self- spreading of larvicide). In light of the Zika outbreak, In2Care is under consideration for an expedited registration process in various countries including Brazil. The approved TTS funding will enable In2Care to expand its human capital capacity to meet the demand generated by the Zika crisis and distribute product quickly where it is needed.

In many children who are hospitalized in Africa with a severe infection (sepsis), the weeks following discharge are a period of great vulnerability. Indeed, as many die during the post-discharge period as die in hospital. Many post-discharge deaths are due to poorly resilient health systems that lack infrastructure and resources to identify at-risk children and provide effective interventions to ensure children remain healthy after discharge. Our project will transition a program of Smart Discharges to scale at several regional hospitals in Uganda.

Ujiplus is a highly nutrituous school meal with deworming properties that can be used for children at risk of parasitic worm disease, while also tackling malnutrition. During TTS funding, TEPAD will seek to: (1) Conduct an expanded clinical trial to demonstrate the efficacy of Ujiplus on A. lumbricoides and an additional three (3) common worm infections (est. 1,200 children across 6 schools.) (2) Make adjustments to product formulation as necessary to improve taste and texture.

Childrens Automated Respiration Monitor

Our bold idea is to make a low-cost, multiplexed, highly-sensitive, rapid and easy-to-use diagnostic tool for simultaneous detection of 4 most common gastrointestinal pathogens, causing persistent diarrhea in children (i.Giardia Lamblia, ii. Cryptosporidium Parvum, iii. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and iv. Rotavirus) from stool samples of the patients. We have developed a technology to accurately deliver and control liquids in microchannels using only capillary (surface tension) forces.

A major concern for Kenya’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation is the management of diarrhea, the 3rd most common cause of mortality / morbidity in-country; with a case fatality of up to 21%. The ministry conducted a survey in Nov-2006 through the Division of Child & Adolescent Health which revealed gaps in diarrhea diseases management, with only 55% of the children with diarrhea were correctly assessed.[1]

Around 9M children do not get vaccinated in India every year and are therefore vulnerable to diseases like tuberculosis, measles, diphtheria, and etc. Not being vaccinated is more common in the rural areas of India, where 70% of the population resides. This is because there is scarce or zero provision of electricity, due to which equipment (refrigerators) required to keep the vaccines cool cannot be run. Vaccines are required to always be stored in low temperatures between 2 and 8 degrees C.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 76% of malaria cases and 75% of malaria deaths globally. Of which children under 5 are particularly susceptible to infection and death. More than 70% of all malaria deaths occur in this age group. These deaths are concentrated among those with poorly developed immunity and generally, young children bear the brunt of the mortality burden. Patients who survive severe malaria may be left with debilitating sequelae, behavioral disturbances or cognitive impairment.