Rapid Diagnostic Kit for Filariasis Launched

A rapid diagnostic kit for the detection of filariasis has been launched commercially which enables the detection of the antibodies in few minutes. Launching the product on the occasion of foundation day celebrations of the Department of Biotechnology in New Delhi yesterday, Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal said that such products will increase life expectancy and help achieve health for all. The technology transfer from Anna University, Chennai to M/s. Span Diagnostics Ltd., Surat, Gujarat was facilitated by the Department of Biotechnology Government of India for commercialization.

The product called Signal-MF is the World's first rapid antibody detection kit for simultaneous detection Of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugnon Malay. The current method of obtaining midnight sample of blood for diagnosis of filarial infection is not suitable for mass surveillance. Though there are imported rapid tests available for the detection of filarial infections, the factors such as high cost, stability and specificity to parasite affects their applications in developing countries endemic to the disease.

This antibody detection rapid test kit has been developed by Professor P. Kaliraj of Anna University and his team in collaboration with M/s Span Diagnostics Ltd. (ISO :9000 ;WHO-cGMP Company), Surat, Gujarat. It has passed through the stability testing as per European Pharmacopoeia and has also undergone both national and global surveillance, therefore recommended for use in India and other countries. The Human lymphatic filariasis is highly debilitating disease caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi and affects more than 1.2 billion of the world population. More than one third of the endemic population is in India.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : March 13, 2007