Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory for TB inaugurated

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 13^th November:--  Prof .Y K Chawla, Director PGI inaugurated two new Laboratories– P 3 and Line probe assay laboratory in department of Medical Microbiology of  PGI, Chandigarh.  These two laboratories have been established in PGI with active cooperation from Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), Chandigarh. The objectives of these labs  are to diagnose multi drug resistance tuberculosis within 48 hours which otherwise takes 3-4 months by conventional methods  and  simultaneously taking care  to prevent laboratory acquired infection due to resistant organism among laboratory personnel while working with this dangerous pathogen. The laboratory will serve the need of  7 districts of Punjab and 5 districts of Haryana and population of union territory

 India has approximately 2.2 million people infected with tuberculosis i.e nearly one third of tuberculosis cases live in India.  The multi drug resistance tuberculosis incidence is increasing in India and reported to be 3-5%. From North India (Chandigarh and adjoining areas) primary MDR tuberculosis is  reported to be approx 9% and acquired drug resistance is  approx 17% (published report from PGI).   Early diagnosis of MDRTB will help in early initiation of treatment of MDRTB which includes 4-6 drugs/day for 2 years. This will definitely reduce the transmission of MDRTB. All the patients will be diagnosed free of cost under the RNTCP programme otherwise the test costs Rs. 1200. More than 100 doctors dealing with tuberculosis including Dr. Anil Garg  STO Chandigarh  graced the occasion.