Inventors:
Prof. Asma Ismail (Contact details available to registered journalists from link below)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Ravichandran
Aziah Ismail
Typhoid is a major public health problem. It is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi which is transmitted via food prepared by food handlers who are carriers. The current method for diagnosis of typhoid carriers is by stool culture which produces results within 2-7 days, has low isolation rate (2-5%), it is labour intensive and expensive since multiple stool cultures need to be performed. Hence, there is a need for an alternative diagnostic test that is rapid, specific, sensitive, cost effective, simple to perform and without need for cold chain for transportion and storage.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most common DNA-based techniques used for microbial diagnostics. Although sensitive, specific and rapid, its reagents have to be transported via cold storage. Also, repeated freeze-thawing and multiple pipetting of reagents can give erroneous results.
Unlike conventional PCR-based test, the EZTYPHI Carrier DNA kit is designed and developed to contain thermostabilized PCR reagents in a single tube to detect for presence of S.typhi DNA in stools and rectal swabs of possible carriers within 3 hours. The test can be performed by simple addition of DNA sample and distilled water and is cost effective.
A retrospective study of the test on stool cultures showed 100% sensitivity and specificity.
Advantages of EZTYPHI Carrier DNA kit
- No cold chain required
- Simple to perform
- Rapid (within 3 hours)
- Has built-in control and gel-loading dye
- Economical
- Minimal pipetting steps reduce error and carry-over contamination
- Results are easy to interpret; positive controls included for proper comparison and identification of amplified DNA (1238 bp)
