TB testing to become easier as ICMR approves indigenous kit

ICMR has approved an indigenous kit for cost-effective and effective TB testing in the country. Developed by Telangana-based Huwel Lifesciences, the QuantiPlus MTB Rapid Detection Kit can test 96 samples in a short time, potentially reducing testing costs by 20%. This kit is the first open-system RT-PCR test approved for the detection of pulmonary TB.

The ICMR, the apex health research body, has approved an indigenous kit developed for cost-effective and effective TB testing in the country. The Quantiplus MTB rapid detection kit, developed by Telangana-based Huwel Lifesciences, claims to be capable of testing 96 samples simultaneously in minimal time.

It is said that this will reduce testing costs by approximately 20 percent. Early and accurate detection of tuberculosis (TB) is crucial for its cure. Since it is a contagious disease, people around the affected individual also need to be tested to prevent community transmission.

There will be an increase in investigation work

In such a situation, the cost of testing increases significantly. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the QuantiPlus MTB Rapid Detection Kit, which Telangana-based Huwel Lifesciences claims is the first open-system RT-PCR test approved for the detection of pulmonary TB.

Uniquely, it can be operated on any PCR machine. It requires no fixed platform. Laboratories across the country can use this kit to rapidly perform molecular TB testing using standard PCR machines. The advantage of QuantiPlus is that it can be installed in government hospitals and testing centers, potentially increasing testing capacity exponentially.

Additionally, government testing centers will be able to save significant expenditure on expensive machines. Dr. Nivedita Gupta, head of the ICMR's Communicable Diseases Division, explained that the new testing kits have been developed by upgrading existing devices like TrueNat and PathoDetect, which will facilitate decentralization of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs).

This expansion will accelerate TB testing and ensure effective treatment of both drug-sensitive TB patients and those resistant to anti-TB drugs.

TB testing card also recognized

ICMR also approved another indigenous innovation, the UniAmp MTB Nucleic Acid Test Card, developed by Huwel Lifesciences. This allows testing using tongue swab (saliva) samples instead of sputum samples from patients. This will simplify TB testing in the elderly and children. Traditionally, sputum samples are collected through complex procedures for quality TB testing.

PC:Jagran