Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) and its partner Transasia Diagnostics Private Limited in Vizag city announced the latest discovery. It is the launch of the ErbaMDx MonkeyPox RT-PCR Kit. This is India's first indigenously developed testing kit for mpox. Timely Announcement The announcement comes at a time when the Centre has issued a series of alerts in the wake of growing concerns about the spread of mpox cases in the neighbouring countries. What Is RT-PCR?Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR, the term, though known in medical, was known to people at large when the world was engulfed by a deadly pandemic COVID-19. RT-PCR is a laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific genetic sequence for analysis. RT-PCR works by using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into a matching piece of DNA. Another enzyme, DNA polymerase, then amplifies this DNA, making many copies. These copies help detect if a specific mRNA is produced by a gene. RT-PCR can be used to find gene changes, diagnose diseases like cancer, or study viral RNA, such as HIV or hepatitis C, for diagnosis and monitoring.What Is In The Mpox Kit?The kit has been validated by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and received emergency authorisation from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The kit has lyophilized components, which means a vacuum chamber that contains the shelves and the formulation to be lyophilized. It is a process in which liquid or water is removed from a product after it is frozen and placed under a vacuum allowing the ice to change directly from solid to vapour without passing through a liquid phase. It increases the storage timeline. This feature is important for regions with limited cold chain infrastructure, ensuring that diagnostic tools can be accessed even in the most remote areas. The kit has a 12-month shelf life and a zero cross-reactivity with other orthopoxviruses. This increases its accuracy and dependability. Dr Jitendra Sharma, MD and Founder and CEO of AMTZ said: "The introduction of the ErbaMDx MonkeyPox RT-PCR Kit represents a significant achievement for both AMTZ and the nation. It exemplifies our commitment to advancing healthcare technology and reinforces our role in safeguarding public health against emerging threats."The cost-effective ErbaMDx MonkeyPox RT-PCR kit delivers 97.5 per cent sensitivity and 100 per cent specificity, with results available in less than an hour.