India's indigenous test kit to detect Influenza A, B and COVID-19 in a single swab

The Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) has developed the first indigenous testing kit to detect three infections—Influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2.Known as a multiplex single tube real-time RT-PCR test, is a single kit which will detect three infections, namely Influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2. The test is a highly accurate, nucleic acid-based diagnostic tool to evaluate specimens from patients who are in the acute phase of infection.

Easy, time-saving and efficient test-kit

Dr Varsha Potdar, head of NIV Pune’s influenza division in a statement to the Hindustan Times stated that “the kit will be an easy, time saving and efficient way of detecting three infections through a single test. A single tube essentially means that using a person’s single sample, we will be able to diagnose multiple infections. Technicians will not have to test the sample separately.”

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The kit’s usefulness

Dr Potdar explained the usefulness of the kit by adding that the symptoms of Influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 tend to overlap, making this kit particularly useful, especially during the flu season.

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The test kit which will use nasal and throat swabs of a patient, similar to the Covid-19 testing kits, will be able to use the sample for multiple disease detection.

The commercialisation of the technology

Speaking to the media, Dr Potdar said that the National Institute of Virology, Pune, which is a constituent of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on May 15, had invited expressions of interest (EoI) from companies to manufacture the kits in bulk. The institute is now ready to hand over the technology to licensees or manufacturers which will then commercialise the technology for vast usage across the country and the globe.

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“We have set June 14 as the last date for companies to submit their interest. Based on the applications we receive; we will evaluate the best candidate,” said Dr Potdar.
India’s indigenous technological development.

Multiple testing via a single test kit basically comprises a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that simultaneously detects multiple pathogens in a single reaction with the use of a single sample.

While such technology is in different stages of development in various countries across the world, the multiplex single-tube real-time RT-PCR test is the first indigenously developed kit in India.

(with inputs from agencies)

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