Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Size (2024 – 2030)

The Global Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market was valued at USD 255.67 million and is projected to reach a market size of USD 415.95 million by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2024-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of  7.2%. 

Earlier, testing of intestinal protozoa required collecting samples and manually testing the disease severity, which resulted in inaccurate results due to human error. Moreover, it took time to evaluate results due to resource limitations. However, with developments in lab technology and increasing demand for convenience point-of-care testing devices were launched, which ensured accurate, faster, and reliable results of the severity of the protozoa diseases to healthcare professionals. Moreover, recent technological advancements in molecular biology and detection methods led to the development of molecular diagnostics based on genetic analysis, the usage of microfluidic devices, immunochromatography methods, and others. Furthermore, the market for POCT intestinal protozoa is anticipated to witness an upward trend with rising trends in telehealth services with integrations to wearable testing devices and the development of multiplex detection kits for detecting various parasites and their causes to intestinal protozoa in a single diagnosing device.

Key Market Insights:

As per the GI Alliance, 20 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive diseases.

According to research published in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) Central, Giardiasis – a protozoan disease, which is caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia, affects 200 million people worldwide each year.

As per the CDC (Center for Disease Control & Prevention), about 10% to 20% of people infected with entamoeba histolytica (a parasite causing intestinal protozoa and other intestinal diseases), get sick by the infection.

According to UCLA Health, a healthcare system in the USA, about 70% of the immunity system is located in the gut.

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Drivers:

Increased demand for on-site diagnosis has boosted the demand for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the market.

There is an increase in demand for on-site diagnosis, as it helps healthcare professionals deliver faster and more accurate results without the need for a laboratory setting. Moreover, point-of-care testing tools and kits for intestinal protozoa offer convenience and comfort to patients in giving samples to doctors and nurses. This has further reduced delays in further treatment procedures and declined acute fatalities such as an increase in disease transmission and parasite mutation. Moreover, point-of-care testing increases patient’s engagement with healthcare professionals regarding the disease and helps them make better treatment decisions.

Rising trends in telehealth drive the market demand for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the market.

Post-pandemic, there has been increasing demand for telehealth services, which has increased the demand for POCT for intestinal protozoa in the market. Telehealth services enable doctors to consult patients virtually and monitor their health status via wearables integration, especially for the elderly. Moreover, point-of-care testing kits equipped with mobile app integration allow patients to perform tests at home and send updates to the doctor for further analysis. Furthermore, in cases of elderly patients, at-home testing kits for detecting intestinal protozoa are equipped with health monitoring app integration, that enables doctors and specialists to constantly monitor patient’s health and develop targeted treatment methods. Additionally, many POCT companies collaborate with remote health monitoring apps that can help reduce treatment delays and track the health condition of patients for further treatment procedures.

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Restraints and Challenges:

The inability to examine various parasites can decrease the demand for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the market. Intestinal protozoa are caused by various parasites, which can be difficult to detect with POCT devices, as not all testing devices can perform multiple detections.

Furthermore, difficulty in handling POCT devices or testing kits at home by the elderly can further reduce the demand for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the market.

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Opportunities:

The Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market is anticipated to deliver lucrative opportunities for businesses, which include acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, product launches, and agreements during the forecasted period. Furthermore, rising demand for cost-effective, accurate, and faster result-delivering testing tools for intestinal diseases is predicted to develop the market for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa and enhance its future growth opportunities.

POINT OF CARE TESTING FOR INTESTINAL PROTOZOA MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Segmentation: By Technology

• Molecular Diagnostics

• Microscopy

• Immunochromatography

• Others

In 2022, based on market segmentation by technology, molecular diagnostics occupied the highest share of about 31% in the market. Molecular diagnosis of intestinal protozoa involves examining the genetic material of the patients, that is, their DNA or RNA. Moreover, the major advantage of this technology is that it helps in identifying intestinal protozoa in the early stages which can aid healthcare professionals in devising appropriate preventive treatment procedures. In addition, it also helps in detecting the species and mutation of the infection, thus helping healthcare professionals to develop targeted treatments.

Microscopy is the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Microscopy is the most common and widely used method for detecting intestinal protozoa, as it examines the infection in the patient’s body by analyzing their stool samples under a microscope. Moreover, microscopic examination helps in analyzing even the smallest of protozoa species, which further helps in understanding the severity of the disease. In addition, microscopic diagnosis of intestinal protozoa helps in studying the structure, size, mutation level, and other aspects, which assists healthcare professionals in developing target treatment procedures, as per the severity and species of the disease.

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Segmentation: By End-User

• Hospitals & Clinics

• Health Care Centers

• Home-Care Testing Kits

• Others

In 2022, based on market segmentation by end-users, hospitals & and clinics occupied the highest share of the market. Hospitals & and clinics are the prime users of point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa, as it helps them deliver accurate and faster results on-site without the need for complex lab settings. In addition, these testing tools help doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals evaluate the infection based on the severity level and infection type. Furthermore, such on-site testing tools enable healthcare professionals to develop targeted treatment procedures for patients by testing the patient’s response to potential medical interventions.

Home testing kits are the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is particularly attributed to the increased use of POCT for intestinal protozoa by the elderly, as it offers them more convenience than physically visiting a diagnostic or healthcare center. Moreover, caregivers of the elderly help them in performing tests faster and monitor them based on their health status. Additionally, testing kits with integration and remote monitoring capabilities enable doctors to analyze the testing samples and provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on the disease severity.

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Segmentation: By Age Group

• Children

• Adult

• Geriatric

In 2022, based on market segmentation by age group, children occupied the highest share of about 37% in the market. Children aged between 13-15, and even up to 18 years are more prone to intestinal protozoa. This is because children in this age are still in the development stage, and hence their immune system is more prone to infectious diseases such as intestinal protozoa. In addition, newborns are also affected by intestinal protozoa, which can be primarily due to the genetic mutation of the disease. In such a case, molecular diagnostics is often used to detect infection in newborns based on their DNA or RNA samples, and for testing children aged between 13-15 years, the microscopy testing method is widely used that examine their stool samples for gaining accurate results.

Geriatric is the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Geriatric or the elderly are more exposed to the risk of intestinal protozoa due to their weak immune system and weak digestive system. Moreover, intestinal protozoa may begin with common digestive and bowel issues such as diarrhea, and can further lead to protozoa infection. Further, family members or caregivers of the elderly increasingly use at-home simple testing kits to analyze their intestinal condition and seek medical treatment immediately. Moreover, testing kits with monitors such as those in the form of wearables enable caregivers to analyze further health status of the elderly, which includes regular medicine dosage, physical health, progress in the disease’s severity level, and others. This further helps the caregivers in seeking appropriate and targeted treatment and consultations from doctors.

Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market Segmentation: Regional Analysis

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• South America

• Middle-East & Africa

In 2022, based on market segmentation by region, North America occupied the highest share of about 43% in the market. The increased prevalence of intestinal diseases such as intestinal protozoa, and continuous technological advancements in the medical and healthcare sector have contributed to the demand for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the region.

Asia-Pacific witnessed faster growth in the market during the forecast period. Rapid advancements in medical science along with increased government support in the healthcare sector in the form of awareness programs with NGO collaborations, grants, investment expenditure, and others have contributed to the demand for point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the region.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Point of Care Testing For Intestinal Protozoa Market

The pandemic had a significant impact on the point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the market. Though POCT devices and tools were increasingly demanded during the pandemic for diagnosing and testing diseases, intestinal protozoa were not of much concern for the healthcare sector, as they were more focused on treating the virus-infected patients. However, since a weakened immune system is one of the causes of intestinal protozoa, doctors and other medical professionals perform overall testing and analysis of the patients to detect the presence of disease in the patient’s body. Furthermore, physical restrictions during the pandemic created a shortage of distribution of medical devices, leading to reduced growth of point-of-care testing for intestinal protozoa in the market. However, increasing trends in telemedicine and telehealth reduced delays in treatment and consultations amidst the pandemic.

Key Players:

1. Cardinal Health

2. Seamaty

3. Biomeriux

4. Goffin Molecular Technologies

5. BioFire Diagnostics

6. Biolab Diagnostics

7. Openron

8. Nal Von Minden GmbH