Sri Lanka’s DNA specialist offers quick diagnosis on bacterial or fungal infections
View(s):Credence Genomics (Pvt) Ltd, a Sri Lankan firm which specialises in cutting edge DNA technology, says it is now able to diagnose within 24 hours whether one has a bacterial or a fungal infection. “This is a simple, cost efficient test which will tell you whether it is necessary for you to take antibiotics,” the company said in a media release, listing an important breakthrough.
According to Dr Vaz Gnanam, Director, Credence Genomics, Credence does not use conventional technology but a combination of molecular diagnostics and next generation sequencing which is 99.7 per cent accurate. “It covers all known bacteria and fungi and is even sensitive to culture negative as well as mixed infections. Once the bacteria and fungi are identified treatment can be initiated. These tests will depict the species of the bacteria or fungi, its pathogenicity and relative abundance in the sample”.
This technology-developed at Credence has assisted the most chronic and resistant infectious cases at both government and private hospitals, the release said. The team utilises next generation sequencing, cutting edge technology used in molecular diagnostics, and identifies bacteria and fungi from any clinical (blood, biological fluid, swabs and tissue), environmental or industrial sample. They can identify the entire spectrum of known bacteria and/or fungi in one test. More importantly the test is easily affordable and in combination with its extreme accuracy is a useful tool to any clinician.
“One of the challenges faced by conventional technologies is the time taken to do a test along with its limited accuracy. At Credence, we can make the second stage of the results available to you within 48 – 72 hours, making it the fastest most precise test available globally,” said Dr Gnanam.
In acknowledgment of the advanced approach to infectious diseases, Credence has received the support of many of the top clinicians who have applied the test to acute and chronic infections. “The advantage of a disruptive technology such as this, is that it not only saves lives, but also increases the quality of life for all your loved ones,” he said.