Journalism of Courage
Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions has recently launched PathoDetectHSV Type 1 and 2 detection kit to address the testing needs for the highly contagious herpes simplex virus. This is a real-time PCR test to detect and differentiate herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-l) and type 2 (HSV-2) in a single tube.
The herpes simplex virus-1, also called HSV-1 virus, infects every two out of three people under the age of 50 and the HSV-2 infection occurs in one out of 10 people aged 15 and above, as per the WHO 2022 report. Testing for HSV is done when one has symptoms of a herpes infection such as oral or genital lesions. The signs of an initial infection appear within two to 20 days after infection and depend on the type of HSV causing the infection. Since the type of HSV infection affects prognosis and subsequent counselling, type-specific testing to distinguish HSV-1 from HSV-2 is recommended, Hasmukh Rawal, co-founder and managing director of Mylab, said.
Speaking about the launch of the ‘PathoDetectHSV Type 1 and 2 Detection Test’, Rawal said: “HSV is a highly contagious virus that can affect a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological health. Symptoms of herpes can be misinterpreted or confused among other diseases. For this reason, the introduction of a fast and accurate molecular test that distinguishes between HSV 1 and HSV 2 will be an important diagnostic tool. This will help patients with proper management of the disease and lower the risk of transmission.”
The sensitivity of testing decreases as the disease progresses, as lesions heal, and in recurrences. A PCR test can detect the presence of HSV in the later stages of lesions. “Approved by CDSCO, ‘PathoDetect™ HSV Type 1 2 Detection Test’ delivers sensitivity and specificity in the detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA in clinical specimens, and provides sample-to-test results in two hours. These tests are compatible with Mylab Compact Series to allow completely automated and high throughput results,” the firm said in an official statement.
