Hi researchers,
Can't we devise alternatives to test kits? It is a major concern as to how many test kits will be available to test Coronavirus infection.
I urge NMR community to come forward to develop NMR metabolomics methods for testing samples ( Serum, BALF or breath condensate) of COVID-19 patients.
I know it will be challenging but it has a lot of benefits-
1. Fast and easy tests
2. No need of extensive sample preparation
3. Better validity of results
Please let me know if anyone is working in this line!!!!
Thank you and Kudos to people who are enabling us to fight this pandemic
"Test, test, Test" needs test kits. There is no alternative.
Since WHO Director General simple message to all countries on 16 March 2020
"Test, Test, Test", all countries are trying to arrange more and more of the test kits - gold standard being RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 as the cause of COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the strategies adopted by different countries has depended on local resources, availability of test kits, and number of cases in a particular country. South Korea, and Germany has had success to flatten the curve. Russia, and Turkey is also using it with variable success. USA started using it late and is bearing the brunt of COVID-19 pandemic.
RT-PCR test kits have been now refined with turn-around time of the test results reduced from 24-4 hours to as short as 30 minutes.
Recently, test kits based on SARS-CoV-2 specific total or IgM/IgG antibodies has also become available. These tests are cheaper compared to RT-PCR but can not detect early cases of COVID-19. Standardisation is still a problem.
In short, there is no escape from test kit to do the testing.
I got tested yesterday myself due to some fever, I got result next day with a note that these results are 60% accurate. So the best test kit can do job still partially,
Their is one major hurdle in that very few laboratories are allowed to handle samples, which is a significant challenge when attempting to create a method and optimize parameters for any analytical technique. I'm optimistic about an aptamer assay because I'm biased but also because there have various assays developed with extremely low limits of detection without sacrificing their high accuracy (which is a very difficult thing to accomplish). You need to have an inexpensive way to reach the very low LoD necessary for viral detection or you need an amplification technique such as the standard RT-PCR diagnostic.
The third method is to use an aptamer-based signal amplification technique, which is a very recent analytical technique, but allows rapid and accurate qualitative and potentially semi-quantitative detection that can be produced quickly, inexpensively, and at scale.
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