News Link: IIT-Kharagpur Develops Low-Cost Portable Coronavirus Testing Kit
A new coronavirus diagnostic method, using a low-cost portable unit developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. It is approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The Approval gave after testing with patient samples showed an accuracy. The Accuracy is slightly lower than the gold standard RT-PCR method at a fraction of the cost.
The machine cost less than ₹5,000 to make and the test kits would each cost about ₹500. IIT-Kharagpur researchers told journalists on Wednesday. The testing process took about one hour After the viral RNA was extracted. The IIT was in discussion with commercial manufacturers and start-ups. It hoped that the government would also lower the cost of test kits, they said.
In parallel testing with 200 samples containing a wide range of viral loads, IIT-Kharagpur’s COVIRAP method made a correct detection. It detected 108 out of the 115 positive samples identified by an RT-PCR machine. Also 83 out of 85 negative samples. It means that it has a 94% sensitivity and 98% specificity in comparison to RT-PCR.
“This assay holds the capability of detecting extremely low levels of viral loads than any other method. Based on similar principles of testing, in practice, this means that very early stages of infection can be detected. To sum up, isolating the patient and arresting the uncontrolled spread of infection in the community via asymptomatic patients,”.
Compiled by – MK (Editor)
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News Link: IIT-Kharagpur Develops Low-Cost Portable Coronavirus Testing Kit
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