TrueNat: A feather in the cap of India’s rapid testing capacity and its scope in dentistry

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Original Article

Author Details : Litesh Singla*, Vastvikta Goel, Ananya Kanwar, Smrutisree Mohapatra

Volume : 9, Issue : 2, Year : 2021

Article Page : 77-81

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.idjsr.2021.015

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Abstract

Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Major population of patients suffering from Tuberculosis belong to such areas of the community where the traditional tests of Tuberculosis are not practical to set up because of the extensive infrastructural requirements like continuous power supply. TrueNat is a new testing facility that uses a portable battery-operated device that tests the presence of the tubercle bacilli in the sputum as well as test the Rifampicin resistance of the bacillus in about an hour’s time, by the use of rapid molecular diagnostics. WHO endorsed this test for the initial testing of Tuberculosis and ICMR allowed the use of TrueNat for COVID-19 testing. Contagious diseases can impose a serious health hazard to dental staff due to the aerosolizing procedures being carried out in dental office. TrueNat testing before such procedures can help in significant risk reduction and quicker results which will help in avoiding delay in dental treatment. Due to higher accuracy, reliability, same day testing and reporting by TrueNat, it can play a pivotal role in the future of diagnostic abilities of infectious diseases.

Keywords: Truenat, Tuberculosis, COVID-19.

How to cite : Singla L, Goel V, Kanwar A, Mohapatra S, TrueNat: A feather in the cap of India’s rapid testing capacity and its scope in dentistry. Int Dent J Stud Res 2021;9(2):77-81

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