India’s Zika Virus Testing: Challenges and Developments
- August 25, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
India’s Zika Virus Testing: Challenges and Developments
Sub: Sci
Sec: Health
Why This Is in the News
The lack of indigenously developed and approved Zika virus test kits in India remains a pressing issue, with national labs and government medical colleges relying on imported kits from the U.S. CDC.
Main Issue
Reliance on U.S. CDC Kits
- NIV’s Dependence: The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has relied on the CDC’s Trioplex RT-PCR test kits since the first Zika case in India in 2016.
- Regulatory Gaps: As of February 2023, no Zika virus test kit has been approved by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), limiting the availability of validated testing tools.
Impact on National Labs
- Limited Testing Capability: Most national labs and government medical colleges in India face challenges in Zika virus testing due to the unavailability of accurate test kits.
- Turnaround Time Issues: Delays in testing and confirmation of Zika cases could impede timely detection and outbreak control.
What Is a Test Kit and How It Works
A test kit for viruses like Zika typically includes reagents and tools for detecting viral RNA in samples. The CDC’s Trioplex RT-PCR test can simultaneously detect Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses, addressing the challenge of cross-reactivity among these viruses.
Main Crux: India’s Zika Virus Testing Challenges
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Zika Virus Overview
Cause: Zika virus is caused by the Zika virus, which is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
First Detected: The Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys and later in humans in 1952.
First Detected in India: The first cases of Zika virus infection in India were reported in Ahmedabad in November 2016.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Many infections are asymptomatic.
Complications: The virus is associated with neurological complications, including microcephaly (a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than normal) and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Transmission: Besides mosquito bites, Zika can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, through sexual contact, and potentially through blood transfusion.
Prevention: Preventive measures include avoiding mosquito bites using repellents, wearing protective clothing, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
Vaccination: As of now, there is no commercially available vaccine for Zika virus.
Microcephaly:
Definition: | A condition where a baby’s head is smaller than normal due to abnormal brain development. |
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Trioplex RT-PCR Test by CDC
- Development: Created by the U.S. CDC, this test kit was granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. FDA.
- Detection Capability: It can identify Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses.
- Cross-Reactivity Issue: These viruses can cross-react, making diagnosis challenging; the Trioplex RT-PCR test addresses this challenge by distinguishing between them.
Relevant Institutions: NIV and IAV
National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune
Establishment: Founded in 1952 as a premier institute for virus research in India.
Function: Focuses on research, diagnosis, and control of viral infections.
Affiliation: Operates under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Key Role: Plays a crucial role in identifying and confirming outbreaks of viral diseases, including Zika, dengue, and chikungunya.
Facilities: Equipped with high-level biosafety labs for handling dangerous pathogens.
Contributions: Developed diagnostics and research for several significant outbreaks, including H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19.
Collaborations: Works with international organizations like the CDC and WHO for research and diagnostics.
Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV), Thiruvananthapuram
Establishment: Established in 2018 as a specialized institute for advanced virology research and diagnostics.
Function: Focuses on the research, detection, and management of viral infections.
Affiliation: Operates under the Kerala State Government and the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB).
Key Role: Develops diagnostic assays and conducts research on emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, including Zika virus.
Achievements: Developed an in-house assay for Zika virus testing and validated it using local outbreak samples.
Facilities: Equipped with advanced laboratories for virology research and diagnostic testing.
Collaborations: Partners with national and international institutions for research and outbreak management.
Virus Detection and Surveillance
Importance of Genome Sequencing
- Mutation Impact: Mutations in viruses can affect the efficacy of tests, as seen with COVID-19 variants and mpox clade mutations.
- Need for Public Data: Rapid sharing of genome sequences is essential for developing effective diagnostic assays.
Cost-Effective Testing
- IAV’s Assay: The in-house test developed by IAV is more affordable, facilitating broader surveillance and testing in both humans and mosquitoes.
Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika:
- Dengue: Caused by the dengue virus; transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; symptoms include fever, rash, and joint pain.
- Chikungunya: Also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; symptoms include severe joint pain, fever, and rash; often confused with dengue due to similar symptoms.
- Zika: Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; associated with birth defects like microcephaly in newborns when pregnant women are infected.