Mylab’s MDR-TB test integrated into National TB Elimination Program

New Delhi: In a significant stride towards eradicating tuberculosis (TB) from the nation, the National TB Elimination Program has incorporated Mylab’s PathoDetectTM MTB RIF & INH Resistance Detection Kit to further its effort to eliminate TB by 2025.

Recognized as India’s first multidrug-resistant TB test, it is now integrated into the Ni-kshay portal, amplifying the nation’s capabilities in the fight against tuberculosis.

The inclusion of the PathoDetectTM kit in the National TB Elimination Program marks a pivotal moment in India’s commitment to combating tuberculosis, a disease that continues to pose a significant public health challenge. This manual-intervention free test, designed for the rapid and accurate detection of multidrug-resistant TB, offers advanced capabilities for identifying TB and resistance to Rifampicin (RIF) and Isoniazid (INH), two critical first-line drugs in TB treatment.

Hasmukh Rawal, MD & Co-founder, Mylab Discovery Solutions, added, “We are honoured to contribute to our Prime Minister’s visionary initiative to eradicate TB. The availability of MTB on the Ni-kshay platform represents a milestone in India’s fight against TB. As India takes a giant leap forward in its fight against TB, this diagnostic solution will make a substantial impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of TB control measures. It will prove beneficial for the State authorities to report the TB cases.”

“We have dedicated our efforts to provide the most comprehensive portfolio of solutions that cater to the critical aspects of screening, detection, and prevention in the realm of TB. This includes the incorporation of our indigenous latent TB test, Cy-TB, into NTEP, as well as the integration of the MTB RIF & INH Resistance Detection Kit into NTEP, along with an AI-enabled portable X-Ray device for TB screening”, he added.

Also Available on Ni-kshay Portal

Healthcare professionals, diagnostic centres, and laboratories across the country can now access and utilize the PathoDetectTM kit through the Ni-kshay portal, streamlining diagnostic processes and facilitating data management.

A Critical Step Towards TB Elimination

India bears a significant burden of TB cases, and efforts to eliminate this disease are of utmost importance. As per the India TB report 2022, annual TB cases in India rose by 19% in 2021 and TB deaths recorded a 11% per cent hike in 2021 from the previous year. And to add to that, Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) has dramatically increased in the recent years, which is estimated to comprise 27% of the world’s cases. India contributes to one-fourth of the global burden of MDR-TB. As per the latest report of the Government of India in March 2021, the estimated number of MDR/RR-TB cases in India is 124000 (9.1/lakh population). About 11% of people have Isoniazid resistance in India.

To achieve the TB elimination target by 2025, a rapid diagnosis of drug resistance and effective treatment is important in the management of MDR-TB. The inclusion of Mylab’s MTB in the NTEP and its availability on the Ni-kshay platform marks a significant advancement in the nation’s endeavours to control tuberculosis. Timely and accurate diagnosis is pivotal in reducing the impact of TB and ultimately working towards its elimination.