India's First Early Dengue Detection Kit Launched

EHM News Bureau

Bio-Rad India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Bio-Rad Laboratories USA, recently launched a new test kit for dengue screening called the Platelia Dengue NS1 Ag. Bio-Rad is a manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and clinical diagnostics.

The test kit, the first in the Indian market, is based on the specific detection of dengue virus NS1 antigen. While existing dengue tests identify the virus indirectly by detecting antibodies, which are produced only four to six days after the appearance of the first symptoms, the new test is able to detect the virus from the first day of symptoms. Thus, the time saving is at least six days for a primary infection.

By enabling diagnosis several days earlier than classic serological methods (detection of antibodies), this innovative, fast and easy-to-use new test allows an early diagnosis of primary and secondary dengue acute infections.

"Early detection of dengue is critical as it means that we can provide appropriate treatment as soon as possible. With this test, it is now possible to bring down fatality rates significantly," said Dhiren Wagle, Country Manager, Bio-Rad India.

"We have always endeavored to provide the best technologies in clinical diagnosis and research. Through this kit, we hope to help the health agencies with an effective control and management of the epidemic, " he added.

The test is developed by Bio-Rad in partnership with the Pasteur Institute in France, and is an ELISA test, which enables the detection of NS1 dengue virus antigen as soon as the first clinical signs appear.

Test performance has been confirmed through evaluations led by Bio-Rad teams as well as by reference laboratories of countries directly concerned by the disease, including India, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brazil and Guyana. The test kit is registered in India and Bio-Rad has an import license to make the kit available in the Indian markets.