World TB Day March 24 TB kills two Indians every three minutes; A thousand every day. Key challenge: Lack of uniformity in diagnostic algorithm between private and public sector. Public sector Sputum Smear Microscopy Only 50% efficiency Private Serological (Blood) tests Lacks clinical basis. However, 73 types of serology kits are available for TB diagnosis being marketed and produced mostly in China and India. Indian market value is $ 15 million/yr. In 2012, India banned manufacture, sale and distribution of serology-based testing kits. However, it has not been implemented effectively. Scientific community faces increasing pressure from corporate to publish results favouring use of blood test for TB detection. Interestingly, the companies claim that their tests are approved by FDA of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Use of Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) Though intended to diagnose latent TB, especially in children, it is being increasingly used to diagnose active TB. DCGI has declined to renew the import licence for foreign IGRA kit, a similar kit is being manufactured indigenously and misused for active TB diagnosis. Tests that can provide timely and correct diagnosis of TB. Polymerase Chain Reaction, line probe assay and GeneXpert or cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test. [from “Serology testing ban needs to be enforced” news item in “Open Page” in today’s Hindu (23.03.2014), New Delhi edn. by Prof. Sarman Singh, Head, Clinical Microbiology Div., Dept of Lab Med, AIIMS, Delhi].
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 11:50:42 +0000