Revvity, a global company that leverages innovation in diagnostics and life sciences, with a strong presence in India, has announced the country launch of its T-SPOT^®.TB test for latent TB screening, at MICROCON in Lucknow, held from 23 to 26 November.

Revvity’s T-SPOT^®.TB is the only FDA-approved, commercially available IGRA (interferon gamma release assay) based on the ELISPOT technology. This technology includes the isolation, washing and counting of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from whole blood to standardise the test and provide reproducible results for reliable detection, even in challenging-to-screen groups, such as the immunosuppressed.

Based on the ELISPOT technology, the T-SPOT^®.TB test is the only WHO recommended IGRA that uses a standardised sample, reducing the influence of factors in the blood which may affect performance and normalising for cell number variation.

The WHO diagnostic guidelines acknowledge the benefits of the normalisation step prior to cell stimulation required in the T-SPOT^®.TB test. Normalising the T-cell count before cell stimulation can help obtain accurate results in populations with weakened immune systems. In addition, the T-SPOT^®.TB test does not cross-react with the BCG vaccine, which is commonly used in India.

The T-SPOT^®.TB test is one of the three IGRAs that are recommended by WHO as alternatives to the tuberculin skin test (TST) or the Mantoux test for the detection of TB infection. The T-SPOT^®.TB test is available in over 50 countries including in Europe, China, Japan, and the US, and is in the list of in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) recommended by WHO for use in countries to improve access to IVD testing and advance universal health coverage. 

Automation of the T-SPOT^®.TB test is possible using the T-Cell Select ^TM reagent kit, and automated platforms are available for low, medium, and high throughput settings. The use of the T-Cell Select^TM reagent kit in the automated workflow allows for the blood samples to be transported and stored at ambient temperature for up to 54 hours prior to processing, improving sample collection logistics.