1st Pinoy-made apparatus can detect dengue in patients

Patients in the country could now determine in an hour if they are infected with the dengue virus, after a group of doctors from the University of the Philippines-Manila successfully invented an apparatus as effective as those testing devices used internationally.

Dengue scientist Dr. Raul Destura led the innovation of the device called the Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit, according to a report on Balitanghali Weekend on Saturday by Arnold Clavio.

The apparatus is as effective as those molecular testing devices made in other countries, but is much cheaper.

"'Yung challenge namin sa research team is papaano kaya maa-access ng Pilipino ang isang molecular test na hindi kailangan bumili ng ganu'ng kamamahal na mga equipment para patakbuhin ang test na ito. So ang ni-create namin 'yung molecular diagnosis for infectious disease program dito sa University of the Philippines-Manila," Destura said.

The National Institutes for Health, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Health, Biotech-Manila and the Philippine Genome Center also collaborated in producing the equipment.

The Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit will be launched as soon as possible in public hospitals in Regions 1, 3 and 6.

The process is simple using the apparatus, and the results could be determined in one hour.

"Itong mga sample na ito ay dadalhin doon sa laboratory tap natin at doon ililipat sa Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit. Pagkatapos makuha 'yung nucleic acid material, kukunin 'yan at ililipat 'yung sample ng either DNA or RNA doon sa Biotek-M Aqua Kit. Pagkatapos ma-extract 'yung RNA, ito ay ililipat na sa Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit solution at ililipat siya doon sa isothermal heater. Pagkatapos ng mga 50 minutes kukunin natin 'yung mga sample kung saan namin siya in-incubate at lalagyan natin siya ng dye. 'Yung dye na 'yan ang magbibigay ng reading kung ito ay positive for dengue or negative for dengue," Destura said.

If the patient is positive for dengue, the apparatus' light will turn green.

The training of health care professionals in Luzon for the use of the Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit already started in June. Training for Visayas and Mindanao is also expected.

The invention won gold at the 46th International Exhibition of Invention in Geneva, Switzerland held last April.

"Naniniwala pa rin ako na mas maraming Pilipino ang nagtitiwala sa gawa ng mga Pinoy," Destura said. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News