(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
TO CONTINUE our focus on how saliva is a potential diagnostic tool, researchers have developed a device the size of a coin that detects the measles virus in human saliva.
The research was published in Advanced Functional Materials.
According to United Press International (UPI), the device may possibly allow the early diagnosis and help control the spread of what the news agency calls an âextremely contagiousâ disease.
The new device has been tested and validated by loading the measles virus into healthy human saliva, UPI reported.
“The sensor device is a surface-acoustic-wave resonator, a sort of ‘drum’ with a specific sound,” UPI quoted Marco Cecchini, the study’s senior author and senior researcher at the Italian National Research Council’s Nanoscience Institute.
Measles is six times more infectious than the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant and similar to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, the researchers say. Measles, in fact, is one of the most infectious airborne viruses worldwide.
In America, 1,300 cases were reported in 31 states in 2019, the most number of cases since 1992, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thatâs true even after measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus. Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years. Measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.
Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, more than 140,000 people died from measles in 2018 â mostly children under the age of 5 years.
Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
Accelerated immunization activities have had a major impact on reducing measles deaths. During 2000â 2018, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths. Global measles deaths have decreased by 73 percent from an estimated 536,000 in 2000 to 142,000 in 2018.
The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts 4 to 7 days. A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
After several days, a rash erupts, usually on the face and upper neck. Over about 3 days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet. The rash lasts for 5 to 6 days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus (within a range of 7 to 18 days).
Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease. Serious complications are more common in children under the age of 5, or adults over the age of 30. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases.
Who is at risk? Unvaccinated young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.
There is no specific antiviral treatment exists for measles virus.
Severe complications from measles can be reduced through supportive care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake and treatment of dehydration with WHO-recommended oral rehydration solution.
Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with high case and death rates, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths.
The measles vaccine has been in use for nearly 60 years. It is safe, effective and inexpensive, according to the WHO, adding it costs approximately one US dollar to immunize a child against measles.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
