La Excellence
Project Setu
COVID
Diagnosis
Methods
Name: Rapid Antigen Test Process: It detects specific viral proteins
(Antigens) present on viruses surface from a
Advantages sample taken from the nose.
1. It requires less expertise, costs is cheaper, Less The kit, known as standard Q COVID-19 Ag
labour intensive. detection kit.
2. B 117 is better detected using RATs. 1. Add 10drops of buffer to the tube.
3. It has a short turn around time of 15-30min 2. Collect oropharyngeal or nasopahryngeal
offers huge advantage quick detection of cases. using swab.
Ex: containment zones, where you know spread 3. Insert swab with collected specimen in to
of virus is very high& needs quick tests. tube and mix well.
4. Squeeze swab by compressing walls to the
Disadvantages: tube. Let the solution stand for 2min.
1. RAT has low sensitivity and produces false 5. Roll the swab against the inner wall of the
negative results most of the time. tube as you remove it. Try to release as much
2. Not widely accepted by clinical diagnosis of as liquid.
COVID 19 infection. Less testing infrastructure.
6. Safely dispose swab and place nozzle on tube.
3. There is no protocol of Genome Sequencing for
7. Add 2 drops of solution to sample well.
RATS as we have for RT-PCR. Can be vital input
8. Set a timer for 15 minutes and wait for the
for in our pandemic control strategy
results.
Name: Antibody Test Process:
It is a test conducted on a person’s blood samples
to detect the presence of IgM &IgG antibodies
Advantages: developed in the body against COVID 19.
1. Test results are quicker than RT-PCR 1. Remove the test from foil pouch.
2. There is no need of trained personnel 2. Choose middle or ring finger and uncap the
3. Cheaper than RT-PCR, No expensive probs lancet and apply gentle pressure on the area
highlighted until you hear the click.
3. Wait for good size drop of blood if it doesn’t
Disadvantages: squeeze.
1. Test can be misleading due to false negative 4. Keep the blood collector at a slight angle
results if done in the first week of coronavirus gently touch the drop of blood to draw it up
exposure. to the black line.
2. Antibodies which are formed against micro 5. Bring tip of blood collector at centre of
organisms can take at least 2 weeks to form sample hole, Carefully squeeze bulb to help
3. This test is not particular to specific virus, It blood flow.
cannot differentiate say SARS Corona Virus 1 6. Reach for test solution and add all liquid to
or SARS Corona Virus 2 and show positive for hole drop by drop.
both virus. 7. 20 min later your results will be ready.
Antibody Test- Image
Name: RT- PCR: This test is for Process:
identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. RNA 1. Upper & lower respiratory specimens ( nasal,
converted to DNA through ‘’reverse nasopharyngeal) collected. This sample is treated with
transcription ‘’for detecting viruses chemical solutions that remove substances, such as
proteins, fats, extracts only the RNA present in the
Advantages: sample.
1. It is very accurate and efficient, This 2. Real-time RT-PCR setup usually goes through 35
method is able to prevent the cycles, which means that by the end of the
transmission of the virus to other hosts. process, around 35 billion new copies of the sections
2. This test is able to detect a COVID-19 of viral DNA are created from each strand of the virus
infection even before the person present in the sample.
becomes infectious and will allow early 3. As new copies of the viral DNA sections are
isolation. built, the marker labels attach to the DNA strands and
Disadvantages: then release a fluorescent dye, which is measured by
1. The disadvantages are the financial cost the machine’s computer and presented on screen.
compared to the antigen tests. 4. The computer tracks amount of fluorescence in the
2. The longer evaluation time. The need sample after each cycle. When the amount goes over
for highly professional staff for sample a certain level of fluorescence, this confirms that the
handling virus is present.
RT-PCR Test- Image
Name: RT- LAMP: Reverse Transcription Loop- Process:
mediated Isothermal Amplification 1. As in the case of RT-PCR, the
RT-LAMP procedure starts by
Advantages: making DNA from the sample
1. The specificity, sensitivity of test is about 95%, there RNA at temperature between
is possibility of false negative results. This doesn't 60-65℃.
need laborious. 2. It involves
2. A total of 30 samples can be tested in a single batch A. Reverse Transcription
in a single machine allowing a large number of B. Amplification
samples to be tested each day. C. Read Out- Colour Coding
3. Visual detection is possible, Tolerant to sample
matrix inhibitors.
Disadvantages:
1. It is difficult to multiplex.
2. Requires complex and costly equipment.
3. Requires training for potential users.
4. Cost effective.
RT- LAMP - Image
All The Best