Truenat

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Truenat is a chip-based, point-of-care, rapid molecular test for diagnosis of infectious diseases. The technology is based on the Taqman RTPCR (Real Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) chemistry which can be performed on the portable, battery operated Truelab Real Time micro PCR platform. Truenat is developed and manufactured by Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics Private Limited. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Truenat for TB

Based on findings from a multi-centre diagnostic accuracy assessment conducted by The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the World Health Organization (WHO) announced endorsement of Molbio's molecular assays Truenat MTB, Truenat MTB Plus and Truenat MTB RIFDx as initial diagnostic tests of pulmonary Tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance through a rapid communication in January,2020. The Truenat test was incorporated in India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme after recommendations from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). [5] [6] [7] [8]

The Government of Andhra Pradesh was one of the first adopter of Truenat under its Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) for TB diagnosis. In October 2018, the state rolled out Truenat in Designated Microscopy Centres (DMC) across 13 districts. Truenat was found to improved TB case notification rates by 30% in Andhra Pradesh [9]

Truenat for COVID-19

In April, 2020 the point-of-care Truenat test for diagnosis of COVID-19 was launched after validation at the State Level Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute and subsequent approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). [10] The test processes oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab specimen and provides results within one hour from sample collection. [11]

Samples are collected in a viral lysis buffer that require very minimal biosafety and biosecurity. [12] The Lancet remarked, "This innovative technology-driven COVID-19 testing platform has been a game changer for testing in underserved areas and quick testing in emergency departments of health-care facilities in India." [12]

Technology

The Truenat test is run on the battery-powered Truelab system. This system consists of a sample preparation device ( this device is used for RNA/DNA extraction and then the purification from the sample) and along with that - the PCR analyzer device. This device is available in 1-, 2-, or 4-module configurations. The lattermost configuration is capable of testing four samples at the same time. [13]

The devices function in a wide range of environmental conditions with minimal user input, making them suitable for use in primary healthcare settings with minimal infrastructural requirements, providing an automated reporting system and having real time data transfer capability for centralized monitoring and analytics for disease surveillance. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rifampicin</span> Antibiotic medication

Rifampicin, also known as rifampin, is an ansamycin antibiotic used to treat several types of bacterial infections, including tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium avium complex, leprosy, and Legionnaires’ disease. It is almost always used together with other antibiotics with two notable exceptions: when given as a "preferred treatment that is strongly recommended" for latent TB infection; and when used as post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal disease in people who have been exposed to those bacteria. Before treating a person for a long period of time, measurements of liver enzymes and blood counts are recommended. Rifampicin may be given either by mouth or intravenously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuberculosis diagnosis</span>

Tuberculosis is diagnosed by finding Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in a clinical specimen taken from the patient. While other investigations may strongly suggest tuberculosis as the diagnosis, they cannot confirm it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuberculosis management</span>

Tuberculosis management describes the techniques and procedures utilized for treating tuberculosis (TB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qiagen</span> German biotechnology company

QIAGEN is a provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, academic and pharmaceutical research. The company operates in more than 35 offices in over 25 countries. QIAGEN N.V., the global corporate headquarter of the QIAGEN group, is located in Venlo, The Netherlands. European, American, and Asian regional headquarters are located in respectively Hilden, Germany; Germantown, Maryland United States; and Shanghai, China. QIAGEN's shares are listed at the NYSE and at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard. Thierry Bernard is the company's Chief Executive Officer(CEO). The main operative headquarters are located in Hilden, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuberculous meningitis</span> Medical condition

Tuberculous meningitis, also known as TB meningitis or tubercular meningitis, is a specific type of bacterial meningitis caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the meninges—the system of membranes which envelop the central nervous system.

Point-of-care testing (POCT), also called near-patient testing or bedside testing, is defined as medical diagnostic testing at or near the point of care—that is, at the time and place of patient care. This contrasts with the historical pattern in which testing was wholly or mostly confined to the medical laboratory, which entailed sending off specimens away from the point of care and then waiting hours or days to learn the results, during which time care must continue without the desired information.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis</span> Tuberculosis that is resistant to the most effective drugs

Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is a form of tuberculosis caused by bacteria that are resistant to some of the most effective anti-TB drugs. XDR-TB strains have arisen after the mismanagement of individuals with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), earlier known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), is the Public Health initiative of the Government of India that organizes its anti-Tuberculosis efforts. It functions as a flagship component of the National Health Mission (NHM) and provides technical and managerial leadership to anti-tuberculosis activities in the country. As per the National Strategic Plan 2017–25, the program has a vision of achieving a "TB free India",with a strategies under the broad themes of "Prevent, Detect,Treat and Build pillars for universal coverage and social protection". The program provides, various free of cost, quality tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment services across the country through the government health system.

Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are diagnostic tools for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). They are surrogate markers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and indicate a cellular immune response to M. tuberculosis if the latter is present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics</span> Swiss global health nonprofit organization

FIND is a global health non-profit based in Geneva, Switzerland. FIND functions as a product development partnership, engaging in active collaboration with over 150 partners to facilitate the development, evaluation, and implementation of diagnostic tests for poverty-related diseases. The organisation's Geneva headquarters are in Campus Biotech. Country offices are located in New Delhi, India; Cape Town, South Africa; and Hanoi, Viet Nam.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molecular diagnostics</span> Collection of techniques used to analyze biological markers in the genome and proteome

Molecular diagnostics is a collection of techniques used to analyze biological markers in the genome and proteome, and how their cells express their genes as proteins, applying molecular biology to medical testing. In medicine the technique is used to diagnose and monitor disease, detect risk, and decide which therapies will work best for individual patients, and in agricultural biosecurity similarly to monitor crop- and livestock disease, estimate risk, and decide what quarantine measures must be taken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DiaSorin</span> Italian biotechnology company

DiaSorin is an Italian multinational biotechnology company that produces and markets in vitro diagnostics reagent kits used in immunodiagnostics and molecular diagnostics and since July 2021, it is also active in the Life Science business. The group was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Saluggia, Italy. Its production is at several plants located in Europe and the United States: Saluggia and Gerenzano (Italy), Dietzenbach (Germany), Stillwater, Minnesota (US), Dartford (UK). Following the acquisition of Luminex, the company acquired five additional production plants located in the United States and in Canada (Toronto). The company is a constituent of the FTSE MIB index.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cepheid (company)</span> American molecular diagnostics company

Cepheid is an American molecular diagnostics company. Its systems automate traditional nucleic acid tests. The tests can be used to identify and analyze pathogens and genetic disorders. Cepheid sells clinical tests for healthcare-associated infections, infectious diseases, sexual health, oncology and genetics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Tuberculosis Institute</span> Indian Government institute

The National Tuberculosis Institute (NTIB) is a Government of India institute, under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, dedicated to advanced research on Tuberculosis. The Institute is located along Bellary Road, in Bengaluru, Karnataka state, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 testing</span> Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection

COVID-19 testing involves analyzing samples to assess the current or past presence of SARS-CoV-2. The two main types of tests detect either the presence of the virus or antibodies produced in response to infection. Molecular tests for viral presence through its molecular components are used to diagnose individual cases and to allow public health authorities to trace and contain outbreaks. Antibody tests instead show whether someone once had the disease. They are less useful for diagnosing current infections because antibodies may not develop for weeks after infection. It is used to assess disease prevalence, which aids the estimation of the infection fatality rate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coronavirus breathalyzer</span> Diagnostic medical device

A coronavirus breathalyzer is a diagnostic medical device enabling the user to test with 90% or greater accuracy the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in an exhaled breath. As of the first half of 2020, the idea of a practical coronavirus breathalyzer was concomitantly developed by unrelated research groups in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, United Kingdom and USA.

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Seegene, Inc is a Korean manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, particularly molecular diagnostics. Its portfolio includes a range of assays and screening products for sepsis, respiratory diseases such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It was founded in 2000. In early 2020, it began developing and distributing a range of tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

References

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