Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Pune-based Hasmukh Rawal, MD of Mylab Discovery Solutions, during the One World TB Summit that kicked off in Varanasi on Friday.
Biotech firm Mylab showcased two of its products – Serum-Mylab Cytb test for detecting latent TB and Mylab MTB-DR test to detect TB and drug resistance together – at the event.
The Serum-Mylab Cytb test is a fast, accurate and cost-effective molecular diagnostic test for detection of latent TB, Rawal said. The Cy-Tb test is one of the most recent advancements in latent TB infection diagnosis and is a novel form of TB skin test, he added.
“It strikes the right balance. It combines the cost-effectiveness and the ease of the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) with the specificity of the Interferon Gamma Release Assays IGRA in the diagnosis of LTBI, and remains unaffected by the BCG vaccination. Further, it is necessary to create new, safer drugs for LTBI treatment,” Rawal added.
The Cy-Tb is administered via intradermal injection using the Mantoux technique. The test kit comprises Mylab C-Tb SmartPatch which has a SmartCut- Flap to ensure easy access to the skin for injection. It also has QR code, which certifies its authenticity.
