Mylab receives approval for Herpes Virus RT-PCR detection kit

New Delhi: Herpes infection is caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex virus. The Herpes Simplex Virus -1, also called, HSV-1 virus infects every two out of three people under the age of 50 and HSV-2 infection occurs in one out of ten people aged 15, as per WHO 2022 report.

To address the testing needs for this virus, Mylab Discovery Solutions has launched PathoDetect™ HSV Type 1& 2 Detection kit, a multiplex real-time PCR test detect and differentiate herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-l) and type 2 (HSV-2) in single tube.

Testing for HSV is done when one has symptoms of a herpes infection such as oral or genital lesions. The signs of an initial infection appear within 2 to 20 days after infection and depend on the type of HSV causing the infection. Since the type of HSV infection affects prognosis and subsequent counselling, type-specific testing to distinguish HSV-1 from HSV-2 is recommended. Molecular testing by PCR technology is regarded as the most sensitive method of direct detection for HSV 1 and 2. RT-PCR is a highly reproducible, four times more sensitive, faster, and labour efficient method for HSV detection compared to virus culture.

Speaking about the launch of ‘PathoDetect HSV Type 1 & 2 Detection Test’, Hasmukh Rawal, Co-founder & Managing Director of Mylab said, “HSV is a highly contagious virus that can affect a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological health. Symptoms of herpes can be misinterpreted or confused among other diseases. For this reason, the introduction of a fast and accurate molecular test that distinguishes between HSV 1 and HSV 2 will be an important diagnostic tool. We are confident that our HSV Detection test will aid in the effective and early diagnosis of the infection which will help patients with proper management of the disease and lower the risk of transmission.”

Sensitivity of testing decreases as the disease progresses, as lesions heal, and in recurrences. PCR test can detect the presence of HSV from later stages of lesions. Approved by CDSCO, ‘PathoDetect™ HSV Type 1 & 2 Detection Test’ delivers high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA in clinical specimens, provides sample-to-test results in 2 hours. These tests are compatible with Mylab Compact Series to allow completely automated and high throughput results.