Monkeypox: Indian Company Develops RT-PCR Like Test To Detect Virus In 1 Hour

Monkeypox detection RT-PCR based test created by Trivitron which can give results within an hour using skin lesions material.

Trivitron's RT-PCR kit is a four colour fluorescence based kit, which can differentiate between smallpox and monkeypox in a one tube single reaction format. (Representational Image)

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New Delhi: A private healthcare devices company, Trivitron, on Friday announced that they have developed a real-time RT-PCR based test to detect Monkeypox (Orthopoxvirus) virus. The kit will help in differentiating between Smallpox and Monkeypox and produce results in just one hour. 

"The Research and Development team of Trivitron Healthcare has developed an RT-PCR based kit for the detection of Monkeypox virus. Trivitron's Monkeypox Real-Time PCR Kit is four colour fluorescence based kit, which can differentiate between Smallpox and Monkeypox in a one-tube single reaction format, with a total turnaround time of 1 hour," said the company a statement, reported news agency ANI.

"The WHO recommended specimen type for laboratory confirmation of Monkeypox is skin lesion material, including swabs of lesion surface and/or exudate, roofs from more than one lesion, or lesion crusts. Hence, both dry swabs and swabs placed in VTM can be used," the company added to its statement.

With several Monkeypox cases being identified around the world, an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) official on Friday said that India is prepared in view of increasing infections in the non-endemic countries, however, no cases have been reported in the country so far.

The World Health Organisation on Saturday said that countries should take the right measures to contain Monkeypox cases easily and also share data about their vaccine stockpiles.

"We don't know the extent of the disease. But as I said, we as a country should be more vigilant, so that we detect more cases. We think that if we put in place the right measure now, we probably can contain this easily. So that's why, we are making this briefing today and we are trying to raise the awareness because we are at the very, very beginning and it's we have a good window of opportunity to stop the transmission now," said Sylvie Briand, WHO director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness.

(With agency inputs)