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Anti Microbial Resistance Marker Sepsis Panel Meningitis/Encephalitis PCR panel Tropical Fever PCR Panel HPV Detection and Genotyping Panels Veterinary PCR Diagnostic Kit
Anti Microbial Resistance Marker Sepsis Panel Meningitis/Encephalitis PCR panel Tropical Fever PCR Panel HPV Detection and Genotyping Panels Veterinary PCR Diagnostic Kit

Sepsis & Septic Shock: Why Rapid Molecular Detection Is Critical for Saving Lives

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body’s overwhelming and dysregulated response to infection. When not identified and treated early, sepsis can rapidly progress to septic shock, multi-organ failure, and death. Globally, sepsis remains one of the leading causes of mortality in intensive care units—particularly in neonates, immunocompromised patients, and critically ill adults. At Retro Biotech, we believe that early, accurate, and comprehensive pathogen detection is central to improving sepsis outcomes and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship through advanced molecular diagnostics. What Is Sepsis? Sepsis occurs when an infection triggers a systemic inflammatory response, leading to tissue damage, impaired blood flow, and organ dysfunction. Common sources include: Bloodstream infections Pneumonia Urinary tract infections Abdominal and soft tissue infections Without rapid intervention, sepsis can escalate to septic shock, characterized by persistent hypotension, lactic acidosis, and organ failure. Why Early Diagnosis Matters in Sepsis Traditional blood culture–based diagnostics, while considered a reference method, have well-recognized limitations: Long turnaround time (24–72 hours or more) Reduced sensitivity due to prior antibiotic exposure Limited ability to rapidly detect polymicrobial infections No early insight into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms In contrast, multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) enables simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens and resistance markers within ~60 minutes, supporting early clinical decision-making and targeted therapy. Retro Biotech’s Molecular Approach to Sepsis Detection Retro Biotech has developed advanced multiplex qPCR panels for sepsis research and surveillance workflows. These assays are designed to provide broad microbial coverage, AMR insight, and workflow efficiency for modern laboratories. Sepsis and AMR Detection Kit (RUO) The Sepsis and AMR Detection Kit (RUO) is a high-plex, open-system real-time PCR assay designed for research-based detection of bloodstream infection–associated pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers. Key Features Detection coverage: 17 bacterial pathogens 3 fungal pathogens 11 antimicrobial resistance genes 8 multiplex reaction mixes with four dye channels (FAM, SUN, Cy5, TxRed) Integrated Exogenous Extraction Control (EEC) to monitor extraction and PCR performance Designed for polymicrobial sepsis profiling Compatible with major open qPCR platforms (Bio-Rad CFX96/384, Applied Biosystems QuantStudio, ABI 7500 Fast Dx) Estimated run time: ~60 minutes This panel supports research applications involving pathogen surveillance, AMR profiling, and molecular epidemiology of sepsis, enabling faster insights compared to conventional methods. Advantages of Multiplex qPCR in Sepsis Research Speed: Results within hours instead of days Breadth: Simultaneous detection of bacteria, fungi, and AMR genes Sensitivity: Effective even with low microbial load Stewardship support: Early AMR insight reduces empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic use Scalability: Suitable for high-throughput and surveillance studies Applications Across Healthcare & Research Settings Hospital-based sepsis research programs AMR surveillance and epidemiological studies ICU and NICU infection profiling Evaluation of rapid diagnostic workflows Comparative studies versus culture-based methods Commitment to Simplified Molecular Diagnostics At Retro Biotech, our mission is to make complex molecular testing simpler, faster, and more accessible. Our sepsis panels reflect this philosophy by combining robust assay design, multiplex efficiency, and open-platform compatibility, supporting laboratories as they move toward rapid, actionable molecular insights. Early detection saves lives. Molecular precision guides therapy.

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Tropical Fever Panel – Early PCR Diagnosis in LMICs

Tropical Fever Panel: Early Diagnosis Saves Lives in LMICs A Growing Challenge Tropical fevers—from dengue and malaria to scrub typhus and enteric fever—continue to threaten public health in low- and middle‑income countries (LMICs) like India, where diagnostic delays often lead to severe outcomes. A study in southern India showed high prevalence among febrile illnesses: Scrub typhus: 47.5% Malaria: 17.1% Enteric fever: 8% Dengue: 7% Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine+3PMC+3PMC+3ACTM+5PMC+5IJID Online+5 In another cohort, nearly 38% of undifferentiated fever cases had undetermined causes—highlighting the need for better diagnostic tools ACTM+1. WHO Calls for Action The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently emphasized the urgent need for updated clinical guidelines for arboviral diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever—underscoring the importance of early medical intervention World Health Organization+2Nature+2. Furthermore, WHO’s South-East Asia region, which includes India, remains highly endemic for dengue; robust public health systems are vital to reduce severe disease through timely diagnosis, proper referral, and case management World Health Organization. Globally, dengue has doubled in burden over the past few decades—from ~26 million cases in 1990 to nearly 59 million in 2021, with deaths rising from ~14,300 to ~29,000 journals.plos.org. Why Early & Accurate Diagnosis Matters Symptom overlap: Dengue, typhoid, scrub typhus, and malaria often present similarly—making clinical diagnosis imprecise PubMed. Syndromic management frameworks have been recommended in India to close these diagnostic gaps using rapid testing and algorithms PubMed. Reducing misuse of antibiotics is essential to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in LMICs. PCR: A Game-Changer in Disease Detection Multiplex qPCR shines in accuracy and speed: Detects pathogen DNA/RNA with high sensitivity, even in early stages. Simultaneously targets multiple pathogens, ideal for complex tropical presentations. Delivers faster results, enabling prompt, targeted treatment. Reduces unnecessary empirical therapy, supporting WHO’s AMR goals. Retro Biotech’s Role in Transforming Diagnosis Retro Biotech is bridging the diagnostic gap with: Tropical Fever Multiplex Panels—pre-mixed OSR (Open System Reagents) for major tropical pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Compatibility with affordable, widely-used platforms (e.g., Quant Studio, 7500 Fast Dx, Bio-Rad CFX series). Tube-based kits simplifying workflow—no extraction hassles, fast turnaround. Kits engineered for LMIC labs: scalable, cost-effective, and robust. By supporting early detection with PCR, Retro Biotech aligns with WHO and national health priorities to reduce morbidity, optimize treatment, and limit outbreaks.

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Transforming Bovine Mastitis Diagnosis with Molecular PCR Technology

Bovine mastitis remains one of the costliest diseases in the dairy sector, causing up to 70% of total economic losses due to decreased milk yield, poor quality, and treatment expenses. Globally, mastitis affects 20–40% of dairy cows annually, with subclinical cases often going undetected for weeks, leading to disease spread and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) buildup. Limitations of Conventional Mastitis Detection Methods Traditional diagnostic approaches—such as California Mastitis Test (CMT), electrical conductivity checks, and visual milk or udder changes—are: ✅ Cost-effective and simple, suitable for routine herd screening. ❌ Indirect, often leading to false positives or false negatives (Figure 1). ❌ Unable to identify the causative pathogen, limiting targeted treatment. ❌ Resulting in broad-spectrum antibiotic use, contributing to AMR emergence. Recent studies show that over 60% of mastitis cases involve mixed bacterial infections, where empirical treatment often fails, prolonging infection cycles. The AMR Challenge in Bovine Mastitis Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of mastitis milk samples has revealed: >50 bacterial species associated with mastitis, including high-prevalence pathogens such as: Pseudomonas stutzeri Streptococcus agalactiae Pseudomonas aeruginosa Klebsiella pneumoniae Over 40 distinct AMR genes frequently detected, such as: qnr, mecA, tetA, ermB, and sul1, conferring resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones. Studies indicate 70–80% of mastitis isolates are resistant to at least one antibiotic class, making treatment less effective. RetroPCR Advantage: Pathogen & AMR Gene Detection in One Test Retro Biotech’s Direct-to-PCR (D2P) Mastitis Panel overcomes conventional diagnostic limitations by delivering: Multiplex PCR detection of 15+ major mastitis pathogens directly from raw milk. AMR gene profiling, identifying genetic resistance markers in <1 hour. No DNA extraction required, reducing errors and handling time. Portable field-use PCR setup, enabling on-farm decision-making. This allows precision veterinary treatment, replacing empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic use with pathogen-specific therapy, minimizing AMR risk, and improving herd health. Impact on Dairy Productivity Early, accurate diagnosis reduces disease spread in the herd. Optimized antimicrobial stewardship, reducing drug costs and milk discard periods. Improved milk quality and yield, enhancing farmer profitability. Alignment with One Health initiatives, reducing AMR transmission risks from animals to humans. Conclusion Mastitis management must evolve beyond outdated screening tools toward real-time molecular diagnostics. With RetroPCR, dairy farms and veterinary labs can achieve: Rapid pathogen identification AMR resistance gene detection Precision treatment strategies This shift is vital for sustainable dairy farming, reduced economic losses, and global AMR containment.

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Zoonotic Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance: The Growing Human Health Threat

Nearly 60% of all human infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans. Among these, a significant number harbor antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs)—genetic elements that allow bacteria to withstand antibiotic treatment. This silent but escalating crisis threatens not only human health but also the sustainability of modern medicine. ???? The Link Between Zoonotic Diseases and AMR Zoonotic diseases originate from a variety of sources—wildlife, livestock, and even domestic pets. When pathogens jump from animals to humans, they often bring along a package of resistance genes acquired from decades of antibiotic exposure in agriculture, veterinary medicine, or the environment. ScienceDirect studies highlight that livestock farming—especially in high-density settings—acts as a breeding ground for drug-resistant pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. PMC and Frontiers reports confirm that ARGs can be transferred through direct animal contact, contaminated food, water, or even shared environments, leading to infections in humans that are harder and costlier to treat. According to zoonotic-diseases.org, the rise of multi-drug resistant bacteria in both humans and animals is now recognized as a “One Health” challenge, demanding cross-sector collaboration. ⚠️ Why This Matters Higher Mortality Rates: Resistant zoonotic infections are often severe, requiring longer hospital stays and stronger, more toxic drugs. Global Spread: International travel and trade make resistant pathogens a worldwide issue, not just a local concern. Future Pandemics: Experts warn that unchecked antimicrobial use in animals increases the risk of a drug-resistant outbreak with pandemic potential. ???? The One Health Approach To break this cycle, a One Health framework is essential—integrating human, animal, and environmental health to track and control AMR: Responsible Antibiotic Use: Reducing non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock. Surveillance and Diagnostics: Rapid molecular detection of resistant pathogens across humans and animals. Environmental Stewardship: Managing waste from farms and hospitals to limit ARG spread. ???? Retro Biotech’s Role At Retro Biotech, we are committed to strengthening AMR surveillance and diagnostics through direct-to-PCR molecular testing platforms. Our assays and customized panels help: Detect zoonotic pathogens and their resistance markers rapidly, without complex lab workflows. Support One Health initiatives by enabling field-deployable, point-of-care testing for both human and veterinary applications. Empower public health authorities with real-time data to track and contain resistant infections before they spread. ✅ Call to Action AMR is not just a clinical issue—it’s an ecosystem problem. Limiting its impact requires collaboration among clinicians, veterinarians, farmers, researchers, and policymakers. ???? Learn more about our Zoonotic Disease & AMR Diagnostic Solutions at www.retrobiotech.in or reach out to us for custom panel design tailored to your surveillance needs. References: ScienceDirect: Zoonotic origins of infectious diseases and ARG transmission. PMC: AMR gene transfer from animals to humans. Frontiers: One Health strategies to curb zoonotic AMR spread. zoonotic-diseases.org: Global zoonotic pathogen tracking.

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