PHL scientists develop faster, cheaper dengue test

Experts from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-National Institutes of Health (IMBB-NIH) University of the Philippines Manila have developed Biotek-M, a rapid test kit that can deliver its diagnosis just one hour later. 

 

The new test is as accurate as the most popular dengue detection method, Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR technology. It will also be less expensive, as it is locally developed. 

 

Biotek-M uses isothermal PCR technology, in which the nucleic acid is extracted from the blood and added to a mixture. After one hour, the mixture will change color: green indicates a positive result, orange negative. 

 

Biotek-M’s development is funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) as part of DOST’s anti-dengue program.

 

Biotek-M is currently being field-tested at Rizal Medical Center, the National Children’s Hospital, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center for field testing. Clinical validation of the research is part of the process to comply with regulatory requirements before the product’s commercial release.“So far, the results are promising,” said Dr. Raul V. Destura, director of IMBB-NIH and Biotek-M project leader. 

 

Currently, patients have to pay around P7,000 to P8,000 to be tested for dengue through the PCR test, and must take the test within five days of the onset of fever. Another test for dengue requires the patient to wait five days after the start of their fever, and might have to pay for hospitalization fees if he is admitted before he can take the test.

 

With Biotek-M, doctors can confirm or rule out dengue quickly, and hospitals will not need to admit every patient suspected of having the illness. 

 

Biotek-M is a step closer to “our dream of bringing health-related technology closer to the people,” Dr. Destura said. The PCHRD team also believes that the isothermal technology used in the Biotek-M test is a good platform for all diagnostics of infectious diseases. — TJD, GMA News