Current Affairs - State - Discussion

Kerala’s State Public Health Laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram has made a significant scientific breakthrough by developing PCR-based molecular diagnostic kits capable of detecting five dangerous species of free-living amoebae, including Acanthamoeba spp., which causes amoebic meningoencephalitis. This achievement marks the first time the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. has been confirmed in a human sample using an in-house developed kit. Previously, such samples had to be sent to national laboratories, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment. With this advancement, Kerala can now conduct its own confirmatory testing, enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses and improving the chances of effective treatment and survival.