Researchers at Pt JNM Medical College’s Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit (MRU) in Raipur have made great strides at forecasting the severity of Covid-19. Their achievement involves the creation of a set of biomarkers that can detect individuals at risk of severe sickness early in the course of the disease, and it was recently published in Scientific Reports by the Nature Publishing Group.
The variability of patient outcomes posed a significant problem in the management of the virus during the Covid-19 epidemic. It was particularly difficult to predict which patients would worsen and develop illnesses like cytokine storms, which are deadly inflammatory responses. Because of this ambiguity, antiviral treatments were frequently overused, which resulted in drug shortages and the illegal sale of life-saving drugs.
In order to overcome this problem, the MRU team, under the direction of Dr. Jagannath Pal, created biomarkers using leftover samples from standard Covid-19 tests. These biomarkers aid in identifying the people who are most prone to experience severe symptoms. With a 91% sensitivity and 94% specificity in non-comorbid individuals, the new test is very accurate in identifying patients who are more likely to have a serious illness.
The study’s first author, Dr. Yogita Rajput, and many other MRU scientists, as well as associates from other organizations, such as Harvard’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, make up the research team. This multidisciplinary group has helped to create a test that has the potential to completely change early patient care. Healthcare professionals might possibly reduce unneeded treatments, save money, and improve patient outcomes by using these biomarkers to inform their decision-making.
The Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of India, has provided funds for the research, and the health administration of Chhattisgarh has also endorsed it. With patents filed both domestically in India and abroad, MRU is currently focusing on commercializing this innovation. The creation, named “An in vitro method and a kit for determining the severity of Covid-19 outcome,” is in line with the “Make in India” campaign and seeks to advance India’s economic development.
This ground-breaking accomplishment is the result of the MRU scientists’ perseverance and teamwork in the face of obstacles like scarce resources. Their study not only establishes a new benchmark for Covid-19 management, but it also provides scholars across the country with motivational examples of how creative solutions may come from difficult circumstances.
SOURCE :
TIMES OF INDIA
