Based on the experience they gained in the COVID-19 pandemic, Near East University researchers continue to develop PCR Diagnostic Kits for the detection of viruses that can cause dangerous epidemics such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya Virus, Monkey Pox, Hepatitis Delta Virus, FIP Virus and finally West Nile Virus.

Near East University, which developed the TRNC’s domestic PCR and Variant Analysis Kit during the COVID-19 pandemic and made it available with the approval of the Ministries of Health in Turkey and TRNC, continues to develop new PCR Kits for the detection of other viruses that cause epidemics with the experience it has gained in this process. West Nile Virus is one of them.

While 80 percent of cases infected with West Nile Virus, which is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans, do not show any symptoms, in 20 percent, sudden onset of high fever, muscle and joint pain, feeling of fatigue, headache, pain often felt behind the eyeballs, nausea, vomiting, many symptoms such as skin rashes and enlarged lymph nodes may be observed. In the 1 percent of cases where West Nile Virus infects the central nervous system, serious consequences, including death, may occur.

It is now possible to detect West Nile Virus within 2 hours with the PCR Diagnostic Kit!
Last month, two of the three West Nile Virus cases detected in the TRNC were discharged after treatment at Near East University, and an 82-year-old patient died. Near East University DESAM Research Institute researchers developed a “PCR Diagnostic Kit” that can detect the virus within two hours in order to quickly detect West Nile Virus and initiate effective treatment.

Making a rapid and reliable diagnosis in patients infected with West Nile Virus is also of great importance for the success of the treatment. The “VecBornDis West Nile Virus qRT-PCR Diagnostic Kit”, designed and produced by Near East University DESAM Research Institute Kit Production and Genome Analysis Laboratory researchers, gives results within two hours.

Near East University’s 11th PCR Kit!
Near East University DESAM Research Institute Kit Production and Genome Analysis Laboratory, which developed the TRNC’s domestic PCR kit to detect SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly and effectively, tested SARS-CoV-2 in two hours. Near East University researchers, who added new features to the first PCR Kit developed to detect multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza from a single sample, continue to use their experience for the PCR kits they have developed for many viruses that may cause possible epidemics. Near East University has developed PCR Diagnostic Kits for the detection of viruses that can cause dangerous epidemics such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya Virus, Monkey Pox, Hepatitis Delta Virus, FIP Virus and finally West Nile Virus, as well as a GMO Screening Kit for use in food analysis and rare hereditary metabolic diseases. They also developed a “Sequence Kit” that will enable detection of rare metabolic diseases in the womb. Optimization studies on FIP and Hepatitis Delta Virus PCR diagnostic kits and the “Sequence Kit”, which will enable the detection of rare hereditary metabolic diseases in the womb, are continuing and they are expected to be ready for use in a short time.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “With its equipment and qualified researchers, our DESAM Research Institute Kit Production and Genome Analysis Laboratory continues to develop diagnostic kits, some of which are the first in the world, for viruses that can cause epidemics, after SARS-CoV-2.”
Emphasizing that being prepared for future epidemics is a critical issue for the sustainability of health systems around the world and the protection of human health, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Epidemics can spread rapidly and affect societies, cause great losses and trigger economic blows.”

Reminding that they, as Near East University, gained important experience with the TRNC’s domestic PCR Diagnosis and Variant analysis kit, which they developed during the COVID-19 process, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “With its equipment and qualified researchers, our DESAM Research Institute Kit Production and Genome Analysis Laboratory continues to develop diagnostic kits, some of which are the first in the world, for viruses that can cause epidemics after SARS-CoV-2. The PCR Diagnostic Kits we have developed for the detection of viruses such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya Virus, Monkey Pox, Hepatitis Delta Virus, FIP Virus and finally West Nile Virus are extremely important not only for our country but for the whole world.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cenk Serhan Özverel: “The PCR Diagnostic Kits developed by our researchers are extremely important in providing the necessary tools for healthcare systems to gain resistance against epidemics.”
Near East University DESAM Research Institute Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cenk Serhan Özverel emphasized that in order to be prepared for future epidemics, health systems must first be made more resistant to epidemics and said, “The PCR Diagnostic Kits developed by our researchers are extremely important in providing the necessary tools for health systems to gain resistance against epidemics.”

Reminding that West Nile Virus was detected in the TRNC in the past weeks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cenk Serhan Özverel said, “Thanks to the PCR Diagnostic Kit we developed, it will be possible to detect people infected with West Nile Virus within two hours.”