KRIVIDA TRIVUS developed by Chennai-based KRIYA Medical technologies has received approval from ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). The RT-qPCR kit can detect the presence or absence of three pathogens – Influenza (H1N1, H3N2,Yamagata and Victoria sublineages), SARS CoV2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The three pathogens have similar initial symptoms but differ in how the illness progresses, how easily they spread, and how they are treated. The kit helps identify which pathogen is causing the respiratory illness, aiding clinicians and patients to opt for the right course of treatment.

Kriya’s KRIVIDA TRIVUS offers the following advantages

• It detects the specific virus causing a respiratory infection. Identifying the specific virus that is causing the infection can help clinicians understand the likely outcomes and how the patient will do. For example, an infant with SARS-CoV-2 has a good prognosis, but one with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) may develop severe inflammation of the lungs called bronchiolitis. If there is a co-infection or if multiple viruses are present, it may signal a worse outcome and a higher chance of developing severe pneumonia.
• Knowing which virus is causing the infection can help doctors decide on the best treatment plan for the patient. For example, if an adult is diagnosed with influenza, within the first two days of being sick, they can be treated effectively with an antiviral drug. If any of the three viruses are detected, doctors can advise patients to avoid antibiotics, which can help prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.
• The kit can help healthcare providers stay informed about the current burden of respiratory infections and be prepared for any new ones that may emerge.

Anu Moturi, CEO and Founder, KRIYA Medical Technologies, said, “I would like to thank ICMR for their prompt and timely validation of KRIVIDA TRIVUS. Over the last several weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of H3N2 cases, as well as a rise in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country. We need a test that can clearly differentiate between these infections and help doctors create the right treatment plan. At KRIYA, we are committed to developing solutions that address challenging healthcare delivery problems. We recognize the importance of identifying the presence of viral pathogens causing respiratory illness and we understand the gaps that currently exist in the diagnostic stage. KRIVIDA TRIVUS can play a significant role in addressing these gaps and help clinicians with the right diagnosis”

Commenting on the kit, Dr. Shanmuga Priya, Head Of Research and Development, Kriya Medical Technologies, said, “Common respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, flu, RSV infection, COVID-19, and allergies share similar symptoms like cough, sneezing, weakness, breathlessness, and fever. However, each of these illnesses has a different clinical course and management protocol. Since these illnesses cannot be accurately distinguished from each other based on symptoms alone, there is a critical need for an easy and accurate method to identify the specific viral cause of the infection. It is essential to detect these infections since coinfections are possible. Our product is designed to detect presence or absence of all three pathogens. Given the current scenario of surge in both COVID and Flu, the conventional RT PCR kits which detect just the presence or absence of SARS CoV2 should be replaced by KRIVIDA Trivus, as it provides a more meaningful report about not just the presence or absence of these infections but also about coinfections, as these are often severe and they require a syndromic approach in management.”

All you need to know about KRIVIDA TRIVUS

• The kit has the shortest cycle time of 27 minutes. The time taken for result to be read can vary between 50-60 minutes
• It’s an open kit that can be used in all the available RT PCR equipment.
• The KRIVIDA TRIVUS effectively distinguishes between Influenza, SARS CoV2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, within the shortest TAT (turnaround time), enabling immediate line of treatment. Given that there is no line of treatment or quarantine requirements specific to H3N2 Vs HIN1 subtypes of Influenza virus, it is important to be aware that clinical diagnostic kits differentiating between specific subtypes of Influenza is redundant.
• The kit is evaluated by ICMR at National Institute of Virology, Pune, using 225 known positive samples and 85 negative samples. The overall sensitivity of KRIVIDA TRIVUS is 99.11% and specificity is 100%

The kit will be produced at KRIYA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Oragadam in Chennai. The test is priced competitively, and it will soon be commercially available across the country.