Molbio Diagnostics has launched the Truenat® HSV 1/2 for testing the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The test is approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and can provide sample-to-test results in an hour's time. The Real Time PCR test works on the existing Truelab infrastructure and doesn't require any additional setup and equipment to run the test, making it possible to test at resource-limited settings. 

Infection with HSV, known as herpes, is common globally. HSV infections are classified into two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. They can be spread when an infected person begins shedding the virus. HSV-1 is mainly transmitted by oral-to-oral contact to cause oral herpes which can include symptoms known as “cold sores”, but can also cause genital herpes. HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpes.

According to WHO’s 2022 report, an estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) have HSV-1 infection and an estimated 491 million people aged 15–49 (13%) have HSV-2 infection worldwide. People with HSV - 1 are not at risk of reinfection but they are at risk of acquiring HSV-2 infection which increases the risk of HIV in patients by two or threefold. 

Also commenting on the launch, Dr Chandrasekhar Nair, Chief Technology Officer, and Director, of Molbio Diagnostics, said, “HSV is rarely addressed, and currently there is no cure. So, as the first step in preventing the disease's spread, we need an effective method of testing at the point of care that is both cost-effective and provides accurate test results."