Edition: International
Wednesday 30 July, 2025
BREAKING NEWS

UN Security Council Report Names Lashkar’s Proxy TRF in Pahalgam Terror Attack

  • News
    • Kochi
    • Trivandrum
    • Kozhikode
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • E24hrs
    • Cinema
    • Directors
    • Actors
  • Education
    • Career
  • Automobile
  • Personalities
    • Political Leaders
  • Religion
    • Christian
      • Catholic
      • Latin Catholic
      • Syro Malabar
    • Hindu
    • Islam
  • Environment
  • More
    • Food
    • Wellness
    • Lifestyle
    • Beauty & Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Mental Health
    • Yoga
    • Video
  • മലയാളം
BREAKING NEWS
100Days: Thirike, Neestream and Gopi Make their Way into the India Book of Records
Raga by Titan Unveils Cocktails, a Dazzling New Collection for the Bold
Blue Dart Announces Q1FY26 Financial Results
UN Security Council Report Names Lashkar’s Proxy TRF in Pahalgam Terror Attack
Former Bangladesh Chief Justice Placed on 7-day Remand
Motorola Launches Moto g86 POWER: The Perfect All-Rounder
    • News
      • Kochi
      • Trivandrum
      • Kozhikode
    • Sports
    • Business
    • Health
    • Entertainment
      • E24hrs
      • Cinema
      • Directors
      • Actors
    • Education
      • Career
    • Automobile
    • Personalities
      • Political Leaders
    • Religion
      • Christian
        • Catholic
        • Latin Catholic
        • Syro Malabar
      • Hindu
      • Islam
    • Environment
    • More
      • Food
      • Wellness
      • Lifestyle
      • Beauty & Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Mental Health
      • Yoga
      • Video
    • മലയാളം
  • Health
  • Indian Firm Develops Test to Detect Drug-resistant TB Mutation

    By NE Reporter on August 9, 2019

    BENGALURU:
    Genetic diagnostic and drug discovery research firm MedGeneome Labs on Thursday claimed to have developed the first whole genomic sequencing-based test to detect early drug-resistant mutation in tuberculosis (TB) bacteria.

    “The breakthrough DNA test will enable a doctor to correctly prescribe the most effective drug to a TB patient without a time-consuming trial and error process,” said the city-based clinical data-driven Labs.

    Announcing its foray into infectious disease testing in TB, central nervous system (CNS), systemic and eye infections, the company said India had the largest number of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB cases.

    “India has the largest number of MDR-TB cases. Our spit sequence can be a boon for TB patients, clinicians and healthcare agencies to achieve the sustainable development goal of eliminating TB by 2025,” Labs Chief Operating Officer V.L. Ramprasad told reporters here.

    The central Health and Family Welfare ministry has estimated around 21 lakh people being affected by the dreaded infectious disease across the country in 2018.

    “The test is based on the whole genome sequencing of mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the TB causing bacteria, to assess the mutations in bacteria”s genome and allows a clinician to determine which drug will work for a patient,” he said.

    There are 14 types of drugs for treating TB bacteria of various hues if detected early. Mumbai-based P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre head Camilla Rodrigues said the test was validated with 100 samples recording 100 per cent sensitivity and 98.04 per cent specificity compared with line probe assay technology.

    “Of the 100 samples, 50 were tested in our hospital. The findings in the manuscript are under review for publication,” Rodrigues said on the occasion through video-conference from Mumbai.

    A noting that the process of analyzing the drug resistance was long, which is delaying early treatment for MDR-TB patient, Rodrigues said the current expertise allowed testing resistance only on 4 drugs, which makes the patient wait until testing on all possible drugs concluded.

    “Direct whole genome sequencing reveals information on drug resistance mutations for all anti-TB drugs in 10 days. Our testing will help to optimise the management of an MDR-TB patient”, she added.

    The cost for the TB patient will Rs 7,800 per test. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report, there were 27 lakh TB cases (incidence + relapse) in 2017 and India accounted for 27 per cent of global TB deaths.

    Second appalling insight is globally, 3.5 per cent of the new TB cases and 18 per cent of previously treated patients suffered from relapse due to the immunity developed by TB bacteria.

    “The conventional tests available in the country equip us to identify resistance in a limited fashion. Mtb (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is slow-growing, taking 6-8 weeks for culture growth, thereby delaying not only TB diagnosis, but also the drug resistance testing,” said the Labs in a statement.

    Spit sequence is a culture-free method to identify Mtb and predict drug resistance in 10 days. “Spit sequence is a breakthrough that can help millions. The test brings accurate results and saves time for early treatment,” added Ramprasad.

    With the flagship test for tuberculosis, Labs will collaborate with XCyton Diagnostics in this tech hub to conduct various genetic tests for eye, brain and blood infections. MedGenome will be the sales partner for all XCyton tests in India.

    “As infectious diseases remain a challenge, leading to significant healthcare expenditure, our partnership can act as a synergy in the country”s quest against them,” said XCyton Diagnostics Ltd founder-managing director B.V. Ravikumar.

     

    NE Reporter

    central nervous systemdrug resistanteye infectionsinfectious diseaseMedGeneome LabsMycobacterium tuberculosisTB MutationTB patientsWorld Health OrganizationXCyton Diagnostics

    more recommended stories

    • Ambuja Cements and Adani Foundation Bring Healthcare Closer to Rural Communities

      SHUNYAPAHED (TELANGANA):Ambuja Cements, the cement and.

    • Recurrent Cardiac Arrests: Advanced Procedure Gives New Lease of Life to 47-year-old Patient

      THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:A 47-year-old man’s life was saved.

    • Naga Sadhu’s Recognized in France for Health Initiative Conducted at Maha Kumbh 2025

      MUMBAI:The revered Naga Sadhus have brought.

    • Fatty Liver No Longer Just a Lifestyle Disease: Experts Raise Alarm

      KOCHI:In a joint initiative by Amrita.

    • Complex Hernia Case Treated Successfully with Minimally Invasive Surgery

      KOCHI:A 52-year-old male patient, who had.

    • DKMS Foundation India Honours Stem Cell Donors

      KOCHI:Ahead of World Blood Cancer Day,.

    • Dangerously Low Oxygen Levels Normalized Through Complex Surgery

      THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:A complex surgery was successfully performed.

    • KSUM-backed Startup VitalView AI Flagged Chances of Nipah Incidence in Kerala

      KOCHI:Public health intelligence startup VitalView AI,.

    • Asthma Remains Underdiagnosed in 7 out of 10 Severe Cases

      KOZHIKODE:Marked by the GINA (the Global.

    • Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award Unveils Top 10 Finalists for 2025

      KOCHI:The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.

    Live Updates

    • Raga by Titan Unveils Cocktails, a Dazzling New Collection for the Bold
    • Blue Dart Announces Q1FY26 Financial Results
    • UN Security Council Report Names Lashkar’s Proxy TRF in Pahalgam Terror Attack
    • Former Bangladesh Chief Justice Placed on 7-day Remand
    • Motorola Launches Moto g86 POWER: The Perfect All-Rounder

    NewsExperts.in

    • മലയാളം
    • മലയാളം

    What’s New ?

    • Raga by Titan Unveils Cocktails, a Dazzling New Collection for the Bold
    • Blue Dart Announces Q1FY26 Financial Results
    • UN Security Council Report Names Lashkar’s Proxy TRF in Pahalgam Terror Attack
    • Former Bangladesh Chief Justice Placed on 7-day Remand
    • Motorola Launches Moto g86 POWER: The Perfect All-Rounder

    Newsexperts.in - powered by Klickevents Infosolutions (P) LTD