Researchers at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram have developed a novel, cost-effective real-time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (rt-LAMP) assay for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).
Key Highlights
- Much like existing molecular tests such as GeneXpert and Truenat, the rt-LAMP assay demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity.
- Notably, it is capable of detecting TB DNA with as few as 10 copy numbers per microlitre of a sample, making it a powerful tool for early detection.
- A key advantage of rt-LAMP is its operational simplicity. Unlike conventional RT-PCR tests, which require three different temperature settings, the rt-LAMP test operates at a single, constant temperature.
- Additionally, the use of a fluorescent dye allows for real-time monitoring of DNA amplification—enabling detection every minute during the assay, rather than only at the end of the test.
- This innovation comes at a crucial time. As of 2023, nearly 79% of presumptive TB cases in India were still being diagnosed using sputum smear microscopy, with only 21% tested via molecular assays.
- The introduction of affordable, efficient molecular tools like rt-LAMP could significantly reduce India’s continued over-reliance on smear microscopy and improve early TB detection and treatment outcomes.
(Source: TH)
