The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) in India has collaborated with Apollo Hospitals to manufacture and commercialise a novel dry swab RT-PCR test.
Known as Direct Amplification rapid Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (DArRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 detection, the test is rapid, safe, and cost-effective.
It works by converting SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA into DNA and then amplifies the DNA to confirm the virus presence.
Usually, swabs are stored in a liquid called Viral Transport Medium, which is imported and expensive.
With the help of the DArRT-PCR test, dry nasal or throat swabs can be easily obtained from people.
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By GlobalDataThe sample collection centres can send dry nasal or oropharyngeal swabs to testing centres with no need for the Viral Transport Medium.
CSIR-CCMB noted that the biological sample can be directly isolated from the patient swabs with the help of a one-step protocol.
Currently, the method used needs costly reagents and steps that add to the expertise and time required to receive results.
Compared to these tests, the rapid DArRT-PCR test reduces the time and human effort by 40%-50%.
CSIR-CCMB director Dr Rakesh Mishra said: “The virus will be here for some time, it seems, and those who test more frequently will be able to contain the impact of Covid-19 better. Cheaper, rapid, and easy-to-use tests as these are the need of the hour.”
The test will be made available across India through the Apollo Hospitals network.
