Real Time PCR Test now available in the Capital.

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It's real: test that detects disease before symptoms appear

Toufiq Rashid

New Delhi, January 9: A DIAGNOSTIC test that promises to detect

hepatitis B, hepatitis C and tuberculosis before symptoms appear —

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction — is now available in the

Capital.

Doctors say the test is an improvement on conventional polymerase

chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis.

For HIV, it goes a step further; it can detect the disease even in

the window period after just 15 days of infection. This is a great

advance on current testing which can detect the disease only after

three to six months.

Doctors say the improved PCR detects multiplying viruses and

bacteria instead of relying on indirect evidence like antibodies.

Thus, while traditional PCR detects the disease organism, Real Time

PCR detects if it is multiplying.

" The key is detecting the messenger RNA. While traditional PCR

detects genetic material (RNA and DNA) of the disease microbe, Real

Time (PCR) detects messenger RNA — (it) detects the organism when it

is actually multiplying and spreading the disease, " Dr Pradeep Seth,

former Professor of Virology and Head of the Department of

Microbiology and in-charge HIV/AIDS Reference Centre (NACO) at

AIIMS, said. He said Real Time PCR is a first in north India.

Seth, who developed the indigenous ELISA kit for detection of HIV-1

and 2 antibodies and is working to develop an Indian HIV-1 sub-type

C DNA vaccine, will be running the Real Time PCR at Navin Dang's

Hauz Khas laboratories.

Dang, who owns the laboratories, says the set-up has cost Rs 2

crore. But the diagnostic tests will only cost Rs 2,500 to 3,000.

" Early diagnosis in diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis means

chances of survival and cure are better. In HIV, it can prolong the

life of the patient and prevent its spread to other people, " Dang

said.

Real Time PCR can also reveal the efficacy of the treatment by

detecting the viral load. " No longer does a physician need to rely

on guesswork or intuition while treating these patients. This test

is ideally done on HIV-infected patients receiving anti-retroviral

treatment to monitor their response to therapy, " Seth says.

" It can show whether the treatment is bringing the viral load down

or even detect resistance to the type of treatment administered, "

Dang adds.

The doctors think it can help detect cervical cancer and other

diseases in future.

WHAT IT DOES

* Diagnoses diseases before symptoms appearl Detects multiplying

*viruses or bacteria, instead of antibodies

* Evaluates efficacy of treatment

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