Real-Time PCR Detects Drug Resistant Tubercle Bacillus

The test for multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is completed within four hours.

Healthcare workers will be able to determine quickly whether or not a patient is infected with a strain of TB that is resistant to first line drugs such as isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (Rif). The Anyplex MDR-TB is a real-time detection test of M. tuberculosis that quickly and comprehensively determines the levels of targets in a patient's various sample types, and identifies mutations of drug resistant genes, which will aid physicians to make the correct diagnostic choices.

The Anyplex MDR-TB test is manufactured by Seegene (Rockville, MD, USA). The test can detect the mutations of drug resistant genes to Rif (rpoB: D516V/Y, H526D/Y, S531L) and INH (katG: S315T (2 cases); inhA promoter: -15(C/T)). The unprecedented speed and accuracy of the Anyplex MDR-TB Tests will enable doctors and clinicians to provide quickly an appropriate treatment to prevent the spread of MDR-TB.

Current TB test methods based on culture and microscopy are hindered by speed, low sensitivity, and low specificity. Furthermore, none of these approaches are able to identify rapidly and efficiently a patient's resistance to the major drugs for treating TB. Even if sequencing and Line Probe Assay are available to test drug resistance, the procedures are quite complicated and time-consuming.

The World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland), reported that TB strains that are resistant to all major anti-TB drugs have been documented in every country by the nongovernmental organization recent survey. A particularly dangerous form of drug-resistant TB is MDR-TB, caused by TB bacilli resistant to the most powerful anti-TB drugs. The rate for successful MDR-TB treatment is extremely low and the progress of the disease is faster than normal TB, resulting in 40% - 50% of mortality rate.

Jong-Yoon Chun, CEO of Seegene, said, "Because MDR-TB is difficult to treat, preventing its spread throughout the population is essential. The Anyplex MDR-TB Test is a powerful new tool that healthcare workers can use to rapidly determine such infections, which will both help stop it from spreading and allow health care professionals to set a course of alternative medications for infected patients."

Related Links:
Seegene
WHO