BJ Medical College to undertake ‘targeted' genome sequencing of TB samples to get accurate picture of mutation
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Pune: BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital will now undertake 'targeted' genome sequencing of 50 tuberculosis samples.
These samples would be sequenced as per World Health Organisation (WHO)'s genome Atlas to analyse the genetic makeup of mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB.
BJ Medical College is now undertaking 'targeted' genome sequencing of samples from 50 TB patients to get a more accurate picture of mutation in the bacteria. Targeted genome sequencing involves focusing on specific, predefined regions of genome for sequencing, rather than sequencing the entire genome (whole-genome sequencing). This helps researchers and clinicians who want to investigate specific genes or genomic regions of interest.
The college had carried out genome sequencing during Covid-19 pandemic.
As per WHO, India has the highest burden of TB, with two deaths occurring every three minutes from tuberculosis (TB). Also, India accounts for almost 26% of drug-resistant TB cases from across the world. To expedite TB elimination, the central govt's Dare2eraD TB programme (data driven research to eradicate TB), launched on March 24, 2022 undertook whole genome sequencing of 32,000 TB samples to identify drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
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As part of this initiative, BJ Medical College had sent 1,000 samples to the department of biotechnology.
Dr Rajesh Kartyakarte, head of microbiology department at the college, said, "The central govt's programme entails undertaking whole genome sequencing, which is very time consuming and expensive. However, we are now aiming to focus on targeted 'genome sequencing' for which we will refer to WHO's genome atlas.
TB's genome is very big and so it is time consuming but with targeted sequencing we can find the type of mycobacterium and the exact drug resistance.
If a particular drug acts on a certain protein and that protein has mutated, it means that the bacteria is resistant to that drug. We have received funding for the same and will soon be able to undertake targeted genome sequencing, maybe in a month or two, once we procure the kits."
Dr Sanjay Gaikwad, head of pulmonology department at BJ Medical College, said, "It is very crucial to know whether the patient is suffering from any drug resistance and, if they are, then we need to know from which drug. Based on this information, the drug treatment regime is determined. As of now, we use CBNAAT tests to determine the drug-resistant TB. With the help of this test, we can know whether it is R-resistant or R-sensitive or H-resistant or H-sensitive.
"
CBNAAT, or cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test, is a rapid molecular diagnostic test primarily used for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) and detecting rifampicin resistance, an indicator of MDR-TB.
BOX
– 28% (28 lakh) of world's TB cases are diagnosed in India every year
– 3,31,000 deaths due to TB in the country in 2022
– The Centre's goal is to eliminate TB by 2025
– Drug-resistant TB rate is 7% to 10%
Pune: BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital will now undertake 'targeted' genome sequencing of 50 tuberculosis samples.
These samples would be sequenced as per World Health Organisation (WHO)'s genome Atlas to analyse the genetic makeup of mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB.
BJ Medical College is now undertaking 'targeted' genome sequencing of samples from 50 TB patients to get a more accurate picture of mutation in the bacteria. Targeted genome sequencing involves focusing on specific, predefined regions of genome for sequencing, rather than sequencing the entire genome (whole-genome sequencing).
This helps researchers and clinicians who want to investigate specific genes or genomic regions of interest.
The college had carried out genome sequencing during Covid-19 pandemic.
As per WHO, India has the highest burden of TB, with two deaths occurring every three minutes from tuberculosis (TB). Also, India accounts for almost 26% of drug-resistant TB cases from across the world. To expedite TB elimination, the central govt's Dare2eraD TB programme (data driven research to eradicate TB), launched on March 24, 2022 undertook whole genome sequencing of 32,000 TB samples to identify drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
As part of this initiative, BJ Medical College had sent 1,000 samples to the department of biotechnology.
Dr Rajesh Kartyakarte, head of microbiology department at the college, said, "The central govt's programme entails undertaking whole genome sequencing, which is very time consuming and expensive. However, we are now aiming to focus on targeted 'genome sequencing' for which we will refer to WHO's genome atlas.
TB's genome is very big and so it is time consuming but with targeted sequencing we can find the type of mycobacterium and the exact drug resistance.
If a particular drug acts on a certain protein and that protein has mutated, it means that the bacteria is resistant to that drug. We have received funding for the same and will soon be able to undertake targeted genome sequencing, maybe in a month or two, once we procure the kits."
Dr Sanjay Gaikwad, head of pulmonology department at BJ Medical College, said, "It is very crucial to know whether the patient is suffering from any drug resistance and, if they are, then we need to know from which drug. Based on this information, the drug treatment regime is determined. As of now, we use CBNAAT tests to determine the drug-resistant TB. With the help of this test, we can know whether it is R-resistant or R-sensitive or H-resistant or H-sensitive.
"
CBNAAT, or cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test, is a rapid molecular diagnostic test primarily used for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) and detecting rifampicin resistance, an indicator of MDR-TB.
BOX
– 28% (28 lakh) of world's TB cases are diagnosed in India every year
– 3,31,000 deaths due to TB in the country in 2022
– The Centre's goal is to eliminate TB by 2025
– Drug-resistant TB rate is 7% to 10%
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