Indigenous TB Test: Enhancing Accuracy and Speed

1. Development by ICMR:
2. • The ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre for North East (RMRC-NE) in Dibrugarh developed a CRISPR-Cas-based TB detection kit.
   • Named ‘GLOW’, it is India’s first indigenous TB diagnostic tool, reducing reliance on imported kits.
2. Technology:
3. • The kit uses CRISPR-Cas technology to detect the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in sputum samples.
   • It targets specific MTBC genetic sequences for accurate identification.
3. Performance:
4. • Offers 90% sensitivity (ability to detect true positives) and 98% specificity (ability to avoid false positives).
   • Outperforms conventional methods like smear microscopy (less sensitive) and matches nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) in accuracy.
4. Speed and Accessibility:
5. • Delivers results in approximately 45 minutes, compared to hours for other molecular tests.
   • Designed for use in resource-constrained settings, requiring minimal training and equipment.
5. Current Status:
6. • Validated across four ICMR institutes in Dibrugarh, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, and New Delhi.
   • Awaiting approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for commercial production.
6. Cost and Scalability:
7. • Expected to be more affordable than imported kits, enhancing access in rural and remote areas.
   • ICMR plans to transfer technology to industry partners for mass production post-approval.
7. Public Health Impact:
8. • India accounts for 26% of global TB cases, with 2.7 million new cases annually.
   • Early and accurate diagnosis can reduce transmission and improve treatment outcomes.
   • Supports India’s goal to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the global 2030 target.
8. Additional Features:
9. • Capable of detecting multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB), critical for addressing resistant strains.
   • Potential to integrate with existing TB diagnostic platforms for wider adoption.

Key Terms:

• CRISPR-Cas: Gene-editing technology used for precise detection of TB bacteria.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Bacterium causing TB, targeted by the GLOW kit.
• Sensitivity: Ability of a test to correctly identify TB-positive cases.
• Specificity: Ability of a test to correctly identify TB-negative cases.
• MDR-TB: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, resistant to standard treatments.
• ICMR: Indian Council of Medical Research, leading medical research in India.
• CDSCO: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, India’s drug regulatory body.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/indigenous-tb-test-can-enhance-accuracy-speed-up-testing/article69439931.ece