J Mitra launches dengue NS1 antigen self-test kit

J Mitra & Company has launched the Dengue NS1 Antigen self-test kit, marking the first such self-test/home-test kit in India. The kit allows users to conduct the test independently at any location. It provides results within 20 minutes, with a rapid visual test for easy interpretation.

The test detects all four serotypes of the Dengue virus and is noted for its excellent sensitivity and specificity. It is classified as a Point of Care Test (POCT), featuring a user-friendly procedure that does not require specialised training. The Dengue NS1 Antigen self-test is a two-step process: users add one drop of blood into the sample well, followed by one drop of assay buffer. The reaction occurs within 20 minutes, after which the results can be read.

The kit’s primary function is to detect the Dengue NS1 Antigen from Day One of symptom onset, enabling early diagnosis. This is crucial for prompt medical intervention, especially in severe cases such as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), which are significant causes of death. While the NS1 Antigen is present at high concentrations during the early clinical phase of the disease, it becomes challenging to detect once anti-NS1 antibodies appear.

The incidence of Dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years, spreading to new countries and rural areas. Annually, an estimated 50 million dengue infections occur worldwide, with over ten million cases reported in 2024 alone from 80 countries. Dengue-related deaths this year have surpassed 5,000 globally, with the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific being the most affected regions. In India, Dengue remains one of the top ten most communicable diseases, with states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Odisha being the hardest hit.