Govt Backs Rapid Kit to Detect Childhood Diarrhea Causes in Minutes

Childhood diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of illness and mortality among children under five globally, particularly in developing countries.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended financial support to BabyCue Private Limited, Cuttack, to commercialize an indigenous rapid diagnostic technology designed to differentiate bacterial and non-bacterial diarrhea in children within minutes.

The project, titled "A Disposable Paper Analytical Platform for Rapid Differentiation of Childhood Diarrhea," aims to bring to market an affordable, point-of-care diagnostic solution that can significantly improve clinical decision-making and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in pediatric healthcare.

Indigenous Innovation for a Major Public Health Challenge

Childhood diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of illness and mortality among children under five globally, particularly in developing countries. In India, millions of cases are reported annually, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems and often leading to the over-prescription of antibiotics due to the lack of rapid diagnostic tools.

The DiaCue Diagnostic Kit, developed by BabyCue, represents a novel indigenous innovation that integrates biotechnology, nanotechnology and paper-based analytical platforms to enable rapid and accurate diagnosis even in resource-constrained settings.

The diagnostic kit is designed to be rapid, non-invasive, low-cost and easy to deploy in rural health centres, clinics and field settings where access to laboratory infrastructure is limited.

How the DiaCue Diagnostic Kit Works

The DiaCue platform uses Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology, a widely adopted rapid testing approach also used in pregnancy tests and several infectious disease diagnostics.

The kit detects disease-specific fecal biomarkers associated with bacterial infections. It uses gold nanoparticle–based colorimetric detection, which produces visible lines on a paper strip, enabling results to be interpreted without specialized laboratory equipment.

The testing process is simple and can be conducted at the point of care:

• A fresh stool sample is collected using a swab or loop

• The sample is mixed with an extraction buffer

• After settling, the clear supernatant is applied to the LFA strip

• The liquid migrates along the strip and interacts with immobilized reagents

• A visible color change appears within minutes, indicating whether the infection is bacterial or non-bacterial

This rapid differentiation allows healthcare providers to make timely treatment decisions, reducing delays associated with laboratory testing.

Addressing Antibiotic Misuse and Antimicrobial Resistance

One of the key benefits of the DiaCue diagnostic platform is its potential to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.

In many clinical settings, antibiotics are prescribed as a precaution when diagnostic clarity is lacking. However, most childhood diarrhea cases are viral or non-bacterial, meaning antibiotics are ineffective and unnecessary.

By clearly identifying bacterial infections, the DiaCue kit can help:

• Improve appropriate antibiotic usage

• Reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

• Enable targeted treatment and better patient outcomes

Designed for Resource-Limited Healthcare Settings

The diagnostic platform is particularly suited for primary healthcare centres, community clinics and rural health programmes, where laboratory testing facilities are often unavailable.

Key advantages of the DiaCue system include:

• Rapid differentiation between bacterial and non-bacterial diarrhea

• Minimal infrastructure requirements

• Easy-to-use point-of-care testing

• Low-cost disposable paper platform

• High sensitivity and specificity through proprietary biomarkers

The technology can be deployed widely in public health programmes, pediatric care units and field surveillance initiatives, helping strengthen early diagnosis and treatment.

Collaborative Research and Intellectual Property Protection

The diagnostic technology was developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, and has undergone clinical validation at ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad.

The proprietary biomarker detection methodology underpinning the platform is protected through an international patent filing, ensuring intellectual property protection and enabling scalable commercialization.

Government Support for Indigenous Health Technologies

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board, emphasized the importance of domestic innovation in strengthening India's healthcare ecosystem.

"Indigenous innovations in rapid diagnostics are essential for strengthening primary healthcare delivery and improving clinical decision-making. By supporting the commercialization of the DiaCue diagnostic platform, TDB aims to promote affordable, accessible and technology-driven healthcare solutions that address critical public health challenges such as childhood diarrhea," he said.

Scaling Manufacturing and Deployment

Promoters of BabyCue Private Limited welcomed the support from the Technology Development Board and stated that the funding will enable the company to accelerate product development, scale manufacturing capacity and expand deployment of the diagnostic kit across healthcare settings.

With government backing and scientific validation, the DiaCue platform has the potential to become an important tool in India's fight against childhood infectious diseases, while also contributing to global efforts to improve rapid diagnostics and responsible antibiotic use.