Central Idea

Kerala has been accorded sanction by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) to use TrueNat test to diagnose Nipah.
Hospitals with BSL 2 level labs can perform the test.

What is TrueNat Test?

The TrueNat test is a molecular diagnostic test used for the detection of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19.
It is a portable, chip-based and battery-operated machine developed by a Goa-based company.
It is based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, which allows for the amplification and detection of specific genetic material (RNA or DNA) from the target pathogen.
The WHO has approved TrueNat for detecting TB as it is cost-effective and a miniature version of the PCR test.

TrueNat machines are designed to be portable and easy to use in various settings, including remote or resource-limited areas.
This feature has been particularly useful for TB diagnosis in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is a molecular biology method used to detect and quantify DNA or RNA sequences in biological samples.
It combines PCR amplification with fluorescent probes to monitor DNA amplification in real-time.
This allows for the quantification of specific genetic material, making it valuable for applications such as gene expression analysis, disease diagnosis, and genetic research.
It provides high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid results, making it a widely used tool in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics.