New Delhi: To enable clinicians to rapidly test for TB and multidrug resistance as a first-line test, Redcliffe Labs has launched the BD MAX MDR TB test which is performed on BD MAX molecular diagnostic system.
Presently there are two different tests to be conducted: one to detect TB and the other to check drug resistance – against only one drug (Rifampicin). With this new test, drug resistance against both Rifampicin and Isoniazid can be detected in a single test.
Clinicians can use the test to simultaneously detect bacteria that cause TB and determine if the bacteria contain mutations associated with resistance to two important first line drugs – Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) respectively.
This enhances the information available to direct the optimal treatment for patients and rules out the need for separate test for isoniazid (INH) detection. 2021 WHO guidelines included BD MAX MDR-TB Assay in the moderate complexity automated NAAT class of molecular diagnostic technologies for high diagnostic accuracy for TB testing.
