ICMR approves new RT-qPCR kit to detect influenza

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday approved a novel RT-qPCR test kit by Chennai-based KRIYA Medical technologies that can detect influenza (H1N1, H3N2, Yamagata and Victoria sublineages), Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).The approval of the kit marketed as KRIVIDA Trivus comes even as several parts of the country are facing a significant rise in these virus.

The KRIVIDA Trivus effectively distinguishes influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus, within the shortest TAT (turnaround time), -- cycle time of 27 minutes, and the time taken for the result to be read can vary between 50-60 minutes. This can enable an immediate line of treatment, the company said in a statement.The kit can also be used in all the available RT-PCR equipment.

The ICMR evaluated the kit at National Institute of Virology, Pune, using 225 known positive samples and 85 negative samples. The overall sensitivity of KRIVIDA Trivus is 99.11 per cent and specificity is 100 per cent."Over the last several weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of H3N2 cases, as well as a rise in the number of Covid-19 infections in the country. We need a test that can clearly differentiate between these infections and help doctors create the right treatment plan," said Anu Moturi, CEO and Founder, KRIYA Medical Technologies, in a statement.