Shiloh
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Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ngue_virus_in_an_hour/articleshow/3833684.cms
DRDO kit detects dengue virus in an hour
14 Dec 2008, 0231 hrs IST, Shimona Kanwar, TNN
CHANDIGARH: At a time when it becomes difficult for the doctors to confirm, whether the patient has dengue or any other such dreadful viruses,
the Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO) has come up with a kit, which enables confirmation of the virus within an hour. This technique is nowhere in the country except the PGI, which is the only hospital to start a hands on training at a national level.
Elaborating on the molecular diagnostic technique known as LAMP, R K Ratho, head of the virology department, PGI noted:"The confirmation tests for deadly viruses like dengue, Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya shall be soon a matter of an hour and more reliable in the PGI. With the availability of LAMP, a molecular diagnostic technique picking up these viruses shall be easy and cost effective.''
At the moment, the institute uses real time period molecular technique, which is costly. Moreover, this kit can be safely carried to the area of the disease and offer relief to patients who have to waste time in travelling to the tertiary hospitals like the PGI. "The quantity of the virus can be detected. Once this is known, the kidney transplant patients who are at risk for developing viruses after the transplant, can be started with the treatment accordingly,'' added Ratho.
As this kit is easy to carry and cost effective, the confirmation of these viruses can be done even on the field. "As soon as a doctor visits the dengue-affected area, this kit can be useful in detection of the virus. There is no need to bring the patient for the confirmatory test to a diagnostic lab,'' said Ratho.
Deliberating on various issues of viruses and its detection, experts presented their topics in the XVIII National Conference of Indian Virological Society held in PGI.
DRDO kit detects dengue virus in an hour
14 Dec 2008, 0231 hrs IST, Shimona Kanwar, TNN
CHANDIGARH: At a time when it becomes difficult for the doctors to confirm, whether the patient has dengue or any other such dreadful viruses,
the Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO) has come up with a kit, which enables confirmation of the virus within an hour. This technique is nowhere in the country except the PGI, which is the only hospital to start a hands on training at a national level.
Elaborating on the molecular diagnostic technique known as LAMP, R K Ratho, head of the virology department, PGI noted:"The confirmation tests for deadly viruses like dengue, Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya shall be soon a matter of an hour and more reliable in the PGI. With the availability of LAMP, a molecular diagnostic technique picking up these viruses shall be easy and cost effective.''
At the moment, the institute uses real time period molecular technique, which is costly. Moreover, this kit can be safely carried to the area of the disease and offer relief to patients who have to waste time in travelling to the tertiary hospitals like the PGI. "The quantity of the virus can be detected. Once this is known, the kidney transplant patients who are at risk for developing viruses after the transplant, can be started with the treatment accordingly,'' added Ratho.
As this kit is easy to carry and cost effective, the confirmation of these viruses can be done even on the field. "As soon as a doctor visits the dengue-affected area, this kit can be useful in detection of the virus. There is no need to bring the patient for the confirmatory test to a diagnostic lab,'' said Ratho.
Deliberating on various issues of viruses and its detection, experts presented their topics in the XVIII National Conference of Indian Virological Society held in PGI.