ICMR plans single multiplex test to speed diagnosis and curb antibiotic misuse

By Admin

21 Jan, 2026

Introduction
The Indian Council of Medical Research (Indian Council of Medical Research) is preparing to launch a major diagnostic innovation: a single multiplex molecular test capable of detecting multiple infections in one go. Instead of relying on a series of separate tests for different diseases, this new approach aims to dramatically reduce diagnostic delays for patients with fever, breathlessness, or severe illness. The core objective is to help doctors start the right treatment faster while also addressing the growing problem of antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance.

Current diagnostic challenges
In today’s healthcare system, doctors usually follow a stepwise testing approach. Patients are tested sequentially for infections such as dengue, influenza, Covid-19, typhoid, and others, based on initial symptoms and provisional diagnosis. Each negative report leads to another test, increasing both time and cost. For critically ill patients, these delays can be life-threatening.

Explaining this process, Dr Hitender Gautam, professor of microbiology at AIIMS, stated that once a patient arrives with suspected infection, samples are sent based on provisional diagnosis. If results are positive, treatment begins, but if they are negative, testing continues for other pathogens. This process often causes delays in diagnosis and, more importantly, delays in starting the correct treatment.

Impact on antibiotic use and resistance
Dr Gautam also highlighted the serious impact of this system on antibiotic usage. During the provisional diagnosis phase, doctors often start empirical antibiotic therapy that broadly targets many microorganisms. When this continues without a confirmed diagnosis, it significantly increases the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

ICMR has warned that sequential testing not only increases costs but also risks missing the real cause of illness because many infections share similar symptoms. This leads to prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which accelerates the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Single multiplex test model
The proposed single multiplex test model will screen for multiple high-priority pathogens at the same time. Instead of moving from one test to another, clinicians will be able to move directly from suspicion to confirmation. This syndrome-based diagnostic approach will help ensure faster and more accurate treatment decisions, reducing unnecessary medication and improving patient outcomes.

Supporting targeted therapy
According to the ICMR–Antimicrobial Resistance Research & Surveillance Network (AMRSN) 2024 report, many commonly used antibiotics are rapidly losing effectiveness against hospital bacteria. Faster diagnosis through multiplex testing will support an early shift from broad-spectrum antibiotics to targeted therapy. Targeted treatment not only improves clinical outcomes but also carries a much lower risk of developing antimicrobial resistance.

Stronger outbreak surveillance
ICMR has also linked faster diagnosis with better outbreak detection and control. Lessons from Covid-19 showed that delayed diagnosis can lead to silent transmission in the early stages of outbreaks. Multiplex tests for syndromes such as acute fever or severe respiratory illness can help identify unusual infection patterns or clusters much earlier, strengthening public health surveillance and response systems.

India-focused diagnostic design
The new diagnostic panels will be tailored to India’s disease burden. National surveillance data will be used to decide which pathogens should be included in each multiplex panel. ICMR will support Indian manufacturers and research institutions to develop, validate, and scale these diagnostic kits. This includes rapid production during outbreaks and future pandemics, ensuring India’s preparedness for emerging health threats. Proposals for development and collaboration are due by January 25.

Conclusion
The ICMR’s single multiplex test initiative represents a major step forward in India’s healthcare system. By reducing diagnostic delays, improving treatment accuracy, curbing antibiotic misuse, and strengthening outbreak surveillance, this approach has the potential to transform infectious disease management. It not only supports better patient care but also plays a critical role in protecting the future effectiveness of antibiotics and building a more resilient public health infrastructure.