Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd.

Molecular diagnostics (MDx) is witnessing a fast-paced growth for detection of infectious micro-organisms as well as ailments like oncology. Laboratories are relying on MDx as a powerful tool for improving efficiency, with early diagnosis and accurate detection.   Molecular tests help in identifying infections or ailments at early stages; enabling clinicians with information for personalized and precise treatments. Accurate and early diagnosis prevents further transmission, and rationalizes antibiotic use, thereby minimizes chances for antibiotic resistance.   Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) PCR applies primer mediated enzymatic amplification of DNA to synthesize new strand of DNA complementary to the targeted template strand. Of late, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is gaining popularity for detection of pathogens. This technology requires less than 5 hours, is simple, reproducible, and offers a quantitative output.   Isothermal Amplification Methods...

  The automation of ELISA systems, in the recent past, has contributed to improving the turnaround time for critical tests. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) is a highly sensitive and selective analytical technique that is commonly used to detect the presence of a specific protein (antigen or antibody) in blood samples. Whether a lab works with direct, indirect, sandwich or competitive assays, ELISA protocols involve an exhausting number of dispensing, washing and incubating steps. However, this continues to remain the most widely used microplate assay in diagnostics and research.  Need for automation In the wake of the increasing need to conduct different assays for infectious disease and hormone panels, management of multiple ELISA protocols manually, can be time-consuming. This is where automation of ELISA protocols plays a role in ensuring reliability and consistency in: Time and temperature of incubation Reproducibility of washing process to avoid carry-over ...

  I believe the time has come for our Finance Minister to make a new future for India by giving a huge impetus to the making of Atma Nirbhar Bharat in healthcare. Healthy India means Happy India. Current pandemic has shown that the diagnostic industry is a very essential part of healthcare sector in every country. Without adequate diagnostic tests, it would have been impossible to control the spread of COVID-19. The domestic diagnostic industry is still a very small industry, estimated at USD 9 bn (around INR 675 bn), and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~10% over the next 5 years. Growth will be primarily driven by a change in demographics, increase in lifestyle diseases, and higher income levels across all strata of society, rise in preventive testing, deeper penetration with asset-light expansion, and spread of healthcare services and insurance. Having said that the industry looks forward to crucial government support that is needed to help this i...

  As we head into a year where we are expecting things to be a ‘better normal’, we are often left contemplating, whether we have passed the resilience test or is there more to come? Against the backdrop of the pandemic, the UN has forecast global economic contraction of 3.2% in 2020. Businesses are left fighting for survival and workforces are living through exceptionally challenging situations. More than ever before, it has now become evident that leadership matters for organizations to emerge from forced hibernation and rebuild a strong economy. In the face of change and crisis, leaders can adapt the core values of R.E.S.P.E.C.T to catapult forward, quickly: RESPONSIVENESS - Bringing out the best in leaders: There is an old adage that ‘crisis does not build character, it reveals it’. The various skills and traits of a leader are put to test during management of a crisis and its aftermath. How a leader responds, is key to the organization and employees since they are closely wat...

  Clinicians have been relying on urine testing, which  is giving medical experts a plethora of information,  to monitor patients’ renal function which can be impacted by COVID-19.  Involvement of kidney Researchers have been able to successfully isolate SARS-CoV-2 from the urine sample of an infected patient, suggesting that the virus attacks the kidneys. SARS-CoV-2 uses the Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE 2) receptor for entry and multiplication. Therefore cells expressing ACE2 may be target cells and are thus susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such cells include alveolar type II cells of the lungs and podocytes which are typically found in the kidneys. Once it enters the cells, the virus causes sepsis leading to cytokine storm syndrome or direct cellular injury.    Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - an independent risk factor Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or acute renal failure is a sudden episode of kidney failure or damage that happens within in a short peri...

SARS-CoV-2 continues to baffle medical experts with its presentations. It is crucial for clinicians to identify early, those who are at risk. This will aid them in recognizing the future need for admission to ICU, improve allocation of patients for specific therapies and initiation of preventive strategies.   While initially it was assumed that the virus damages only the lungs, studies have concluded its impact on various other organs too. Routine parameters in blood and urine are useful to provide novel insights in the patho-physiology of COVID-19 and its severity.  Significant reduction in Absolute Lymphocyte Count and Hemoglobin, is associated with increase in total WBC count, absolute Neutrophil count, ESR, Prothrombin Time and Pro-calcitonin. These lab findings, especially elevated Ferritin, suggest an imminent ‘Cytokine Storm’ which might lead to complications like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Pneumonia and Multi-organ Failure (MOD). Important laborat...

  Early on researchers had observed the complications of abnormal blood clotting in COVID-19 patients.  D Dimer, a coagulation marker, is playing an important role in early identification of complications caused due to blood clotting and thus aiding in treatment of severe COVID-19 cases. How blood clots are proving to be fatal in COVID-19 Early on, while doctors were still trying to understand COVID-19, signs of blood clotting were being detected in different organs. Nephorologists were noticing dialysis catheters getting plugged with clots. Neurosurgeons were witnessing a surge in patients with strokes.  “Researchers have found stroke rate to be seven times higher in patients with severe COVID-19 than those with severe seasonal flu(1).” Evolving clinical resources confirm a convoluted role of abnormal blood clotting in COVID-19 that manifests in the form of both micro thrombosis (formation of small blood clots) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is a condition when a ...