Diagnostic testing has become an important aspect of the response to the COVID-19. Along with the widely used standard PCR tests, an alternate, COVID-19 antigen test has also been developed that is widely accepted by the healthcare community and the medical fraternity.
However, advanced RT‑PCR based COVID-19 diagnostic kits like the COVIDsure Pro Multiplex RT PCR Kit guarantees accurate results and has been receiving overwhelming acceptance.
An understanding of the antigen test
An antigen based test reveals if a person is, at present, infected with a pathogen which in this case is the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Once the infection abates, the antigen disappears. In simpler terms, antigen test can diagnose if you are currently carrying the virus.
In contrast to nucleic acid based PCR tests, which detect the presence of the genetic material, antigen tests detect proteins or glycans, such as the spike proteins found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
When compared with the widely used RT-PCR COVID-19 test, that take around two to five hours at the least, the antigen test can give a result within 30 minutes. With advanced versions like Trivitron’s Biocard Pro Covid-19 rapid antigen having a minimum assay time of 7 ~ 10 minutes.
What does the ICMR say?
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), those with symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested with the antigen test. However, if the test results are negative, a re-test using the RT-PCR technology must be undertaken. Read the entire advisory here . In the same advisory, the ICMR has pinpointed the features of the antigen based tests clearly stating that COVID-19 diagnostic kits based on antigen technology should be used both in field settings (outside the laboratory) as well as hospitals, and along with the RT-PCR test technology.
Very recently, the ICMR has validated antigen based rapid test kits and is satisfied with Trivitron’s Biocard Pro Covid-19 rapid antigen . Read the official statement from the ICMR here
Biocard Pro COVID-19 Rapid Antigen
Biocard Pro COVID-19 Rapid Antigen kit is a chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of COVID-19 specific antigen. It makes use of nasal swab to get a fluid sample, and can produce results in minutes. Biocard Pro COVID-19 Rapid Antigen provide test results rapidly, are relatively cheap, and can be more amenable to point-of-care use, which makes it more suitable for testing in the community and in remote regions.
Technical Specification of Biocard Pro COVID-19 Rapid Ag test kit:
- Method: Immuno Chromatography
- Sample type: Nasopharyngeal Swab
- Assay Time: 7 to 10 minutes
- Storage: 4 to 30◦C
- Shelf-life: 24 months
Biocard Pro COVID-19 Rapid Antigen kits comes in 25 and 100 test pack sizes. The entire brochure can be downloaded from here and the kit can be ordered from Trivitron Healthcare .