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TB Diagnosis Breakthrough: New Award for PGIMER Professor
12 Sep
Summary
- Professor Kusum Sharma receives the NAMS Women in Medicine Award.
- Her research addresses challenges in diagnosing TB outside the lungs.
- Innovations include a patented multiplex PCR test and portable methods.
Professor Kusum Sharma, a leading medical microbiologist at PGIMER, has been selected for the esteemed NAMS Women in Medicine Award for 2026. This significant national honor celebrates her twenty-year commitment to advancing the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). EPTB affects organs such as the brain, eyes, abdomen, and bones, presenting unique diagnostic hurdles due to low bacterial loads.
Dr. Sharma's groundbreaking work has bridged genetic research with clinical application to overcome these diagnostic bottlenecks. Her team developed a patented multiplex PCR test for rapid detection of TB DNA in critical sites. This innovation was internationally validated, underscoring its global significance.
Furthering accessibility, Dr. Sharma pioneered portable, battery-operated testing methods utilizing magnetic beads and LAMP technology. These advancements are particularly beneficial for remote clinics lacking extensive laboratory facilities.
Her research has also yielded critical insights into drug resistance, including the first global report on resistance in ocular TB, informing worldwide clinical guidelines. Under the 'Make in India' initiative, her team validated indigenous diagnostic platforms and integrated advanced technologies like CRISPR-Cas12a and Whole Genome Sequencing for swift identification of drug-resistant TB strains.
