With cases increasing at an alarming rate over the past two decades, the dengue virus (DENV) has remained a significant threat to global public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that dengue cases skyrocketed from 500,000 to 5.2 million from 2000-2019, and recent reports indicate that cases are on the rise again. As of early 2024, dengue has been classified as a Grade 3 emergency by the WHO, demanding the highest-level response. Although many dengue cases are mild, severe dengue is considered a medical emergency that necessitates intervention as soon as possible. As dengue cases continue to increase, an integrated approach that includes vector control, prevention, and early and accurate diagnosis is critical for mitigation.

Reducing deaths from sepsis is directly dependent on identifying sepsis early and quickly beginning appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Fast and accurate diagnosis may also shorten the length of a hospital stay for patients and reduce the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics.

In advance of a UN High-Level Meeting on AMR in September, the AMR Industry Alliance officially called on the UN and its member states « to commit to and advance bold, coordinated action on AMR ». We asked Alliance Board Chair James Anderson why urgent action is needed to curb AMR, and how the life-sciences industry contributes.

In 2018, 22-year-old Leticia Batista presented to the emergency department of a São Paulo hospital with fever, a sore throat, a runny nose, and very low blood pressure. She was given vasopressors, but quickly lost consciousness. That was the beginning of a long nightmare… Leticia was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, which had rapidly developed into severe sepsis.