Huge development medrxiv.org/content/10.110…
Preprint study looking at a new test for COVID-19. Currently we use PCR. It’s expensive and difficult to scale. Result takes time. Sanple@needs to be stored in cold chain.
Antibody tests (serological tests) check for antibodies against the virus. There are two types of antibodies we test for.
IgM antibodies appear early and are used to detect who is infected. This test can be done in seconds. All that is required is a drop of blood. It is not as accurate as PCR but it’s much easier to do and to scale. Much cheaper.
IgG antibodies are long term antibodies. They show up later. Those who test positive for IgG have recovered from@infection and are immune. They are unlikely to get reinfected however we need to test this.
Those who are IgG positive can start working and run hospitals, manufacturing, cleaning and helping those who need help. IgG positive individuals can donate blood and their antibodies can be used to prevent and treat infection.
Current cost of screening by PCR as per ICMR is Rs. 1500 and Rs. 3000 to confirm. Cost of Ab rapid tests will be about Rs. 50-100
PCR requires training and cold chain for samples. Ab rapid tests require a few drops of blood, can be done with minimal training. Less risk of infection for technicians.
Good news: teams in India already working on rapid antibody tests. People who have recovered can be identified and can work in hospitals and can donate blood to treat and prevent infection. This is possible, but we need to test it.
Importantly, rapid antibody tests will allow us to screen thousands and understand how the infection is spreading, how many people are asymptomatic, how many are very mildly symptomatic.
During an epidemic we have 2 goals for testing:
1) test patients who are sick (priority)
2) test people to better understand the pattern of spread of infection so public health authorities can fight back strategically.
The new preprint paper validates this approach. Exciting!
1) test patients who are sick (priority)
2) test people to better understand the pattern of spread of infection so public health authorities can fight back strategically.
The new preprint paper validates this approach. Exciting!
@threadreaderapp unroll
