Medgate Today

TRANSASIA LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST AND ONLY HIGH SENSITIVIT­Y HEPATITIS C TESTING KIT

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Simultaneo­usly detects HCV core antigen and anti-hcv antibodies for more accurate screening Reduces window period to less than 28 days, resulting in earlier diagnosis Next-gen testing solution suitable for blood banks

Transasia Biomedical­s Ltd., India’s Leading Invitro Diagnostic Company, committed to a Healthier India, is at the forefront for providing quality and affordable diagnostic equipment and test kits to pathology laboratori­es and hospitals in the remotest areas of the country.

It recently announced the launch of India’s first, high sensitivit­y testing kit for hepatitis C virus. Based on the latest method, the Erbalisa HCV Gen 4 Ag+ab kit, is India’s first and only indigenous­ly developed 4th gen ELISA kit and has been evaluated by the National Institute of Biological­s (NIB).

Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammati­on (swelling) of the liver. It can be caused due to a viral infection, often shows no symptoms, and leads to jaundice and other conditions. Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus and is transmitte­d through bloodtoblo­od contact. As a result, it is imperative for blood banks to check for HCV among other Transfusio­n Transmitte­d Infections (TTIS) before blood transfusio­n.

Currently majority of pathology labs in India perform HCV Elisa testing based on 3rd generation assays that detect antibodies against the infection only. Though this has been the current method, 4th generation assay offers additional advantages that result in early and more accurate detection of the HCV infection.

Erbalisa HCV Gen4 Ag+ab kit is intended for the detection of HCV core antigen (viral protein) and antihcv antibodies, simultaneo­usly, in human serum and plasma. It has a sensitivit­y of 100% and specificit­y of 99.67%.

A window period is the time between the first infection and when the test can reliably detect the infection. Any third generation kit usually offers a window period in the reported range of 15 180 days. The simultaneo­us detection of antigen and antibodies with Erbalisa HCV Gen4 Ag+ab will greatly aid in screening HCV more accurately, as the window period for HCV detection will be reduced to less than 28 days.

“In the last two years, the focus has been on COVID19. Needless to say, there are other infectious diseases too, that need immediate attention. Viral hepatitis continues to be a growing concern in India, and is equated as a threat comparable to the big three communicab­le diseases HIV/ AIDS, Malaria and TB. It is crucial to screen blood donors for HCV. Erbalisa HCV Gen4 Ag+ab kit on one hand offers better and reliable screening of blood in blood banks prior to transfusio­n and on the other hand for the labs and patients, it allows an opportunit­y for early detection and better management of infection”, cited Mr. Suresh Vazirani, Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Transasiae­rba Internatio­nal Group of Companies.

As per WHO, in India, as of 2020, about 60 lakh to 1.2 crore people are infected with hepatitis C, primarily a result of blood transfusio­ns. With internatio­nal organizati­ons such as WHO

running campaigns such as ‘Hep Can't Wait’ and the Indian government aiming at a nationwide eradicatio­n of hepatitis by 2030, accurate screening along with the screening of reduced window period samples with a product such as Erbalisa HCV Gen4 Ag+ab is the need of the hour.

The Erbalisa HCV Gen4 Ag+ab kit is fully adaptable on reputed automated ELISA processors. The assay can be run in 150 mins only and is preprogram­med on Transasia’s Elan 30s, a fully automated ELISA system and Lisa XL, a fully automated, six plate microproce­ssor.

To conclude, Dr. Anusha Rohit, Sr. Consultant & Head of Department Microbiolo­gy, and Chair Infection Control, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, quoted, “If we do not keep up with newer technologi­es, we cease to progress and grow in our fields and quality. The newer technology of using a 4th generation test that can simultaneo­usly detect antigen and antibodies has been successful­ly used in HIV and dengue to greatly improve the sensitivit­y and enhance early detection and diagnosis. Now Transasia has come up with the first Made in India 4th Gen HCV kit, the Erbalisa HCV Gen4 Ag+ab ELISA kit that will ensure early detection of cases of HCV. This will be a gamechange­r for many hospitals, labs and blood banks.”

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 ?? ?? Dr. Anusha Rohit Sr. Consultant & Head of Department - Microbiolo­gy, and Chair ‐ Infec on Control Madras Medical Mission, Chennai
Dr. Anusha Rohit Sr. Consultant & Head of Department - Microbiolo­gy, and Chair ‐ Infec on Control Madras Medical Mission, Chennai

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