Ramulu is a proud descendant of the “Dhobi” clan. He had his own tin stall where he ironed clothes and made an honest living. When he developed a chronic cough, all thought it was a result of the coal he used in order to heat the clothes-iron. At a Tuberculosis (TB) awareness camp in his son’s school, a health-worker suggested a test. Thanks to an early diagnosis and treatment, Ramulu could recover completely and regain his health. For many, Ramulu’s happily-ever story is a lucky fluke. Participation in an awareness camp prevented him from becoming another statistic of TB.

Burden of TB

Healthcare workers and NGOs across the globe are dedicated to fight this dreaded disease. Governments too have been doing their bit to fight TB. Unlike so many other diseases, there’s even a vaccination that is given to most infants at birth. In spite of all efforts, the disease that can trace its origins to the beginning of human civilizations (there are claims that go back to 40,000 years!) still continues to be a cause of concern. India, which is home to over 2.5 million of the prevalent 9 million cases across the globe, has the highest burden of TB. It is purported that over 40% of the population here has a latent strain of TB.

Diagnostic Woes

Poverty, pollution and several factors have been blamed for this high prevalence. But what makes disease control difficult is the complexities of different types of testing. There are many traditional methods available, such as the tuberculin skin test, culture, and sputum smear microscopy. All of them have their own limitations in terms of false-positive results, false-negative results, sensitivity, specificity, and turnaround time. Additionally, many PCR-based techniques that are available for diagnosis cannot be used in surveillance and epidemiological studies. The gold-standard IS6110-RFLP, with its high discriminative power and reproducibility, requires large amounts of DNA and, as a result, consumes more time.

The Need of the Hour

What India needs is an accurate and effective TB detection and typing test with excellent sensitivity, specificity, and TAT. A test where clinicians do not have to worry about false positives and false negatives. Priced reasonably to help diagnostic labs achieve economies of scale. Aided with government funding, such a test can help the nation reduce TB burden. More and more awareness programs that reach the remotest of tribes and most overcrowded of cities. A program that changes mindset – stop fellow-brethren from treating victims like lepers. There should be no shame in going for a diagnostic test.

TB Is Not To Be, with Mapmygenome

Mapmygenome offers DNA-based solutions to diagnostic labs looking for innovative and accurate tests. Our Spoligo TB™ kit, a CE-certified kit, is an effective PCR-based method to simultaneously detect and categorize Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Spoligo TB utilizes the technology of DNA polymorphism which is present at a particular chromosomal locus, the Direct Repeat (DR) region, which is unique to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria.

In addition to extremely high sensitivity, specificity, and throughput, factors such as cost-effectiveness and relatively low TAT make it a preferred method of choice for small and big diagnostic labs. A simple protocol with inexpensive equipment (all it takes is an incubator, PCR machine, and mini-blotter) add to its attractiveness.

Sounds interesting? If your lab is looking for an innovative technique to diagnose TB accurately at lower cost and TAT, you might want to consider the Spoligo TB kit. Write to info@mapmygenome.in or call 1800-102-4595 today, and we can arrange for a call with our experts who can help you get started or answer all your questions.