COVID-19 a Rapid Antigen Detection Test with LATEX AGGLUTINATION
COVID-19 a Rapid Antigen Detection Test with LATEX AGGLUTINATION.
CURRENT TESTS AVAILABLE
PCR tests, isothermic nucleic amplification and various antibody detecting assays.(ranging from 15 min to 24hrs or more)
MY IDEA
· Researchers at Israel have developed monoclonal antibodies which neutralize the COVID virus by binding to its spike proteins.· These antibodies can be used in making a highly specific rapid antigen test for the virus.· The principle behind my idea is Latex agglutination test to detect coronavirus antigen in clinical specimen.
Source of my Idea : Latex agglutination test on viruses has been performed successfully for the rapid detection of the rabies and avian flu viruses (h5n1)the size of the covid 19 virus is 60-140nm almost identical to the dimensions of the H5N1 virus 80-120nm, this further supports this idea for testing.
My proposed test procedure
1. Sample collection-· As we know the disease spreads through tiny droplets containing the VIRIONS. The sample of choice would be these droplets rich in virions in a person’s cough or sneeze / nasal swab / throat swab.· A person can simply cough into a sterile bag ( leakproof ) and then the bag is closed. "This, of course is only being mentioned here as we need the highest possible viral load to avoid false negative results with our test. If anyone has any better ideas for sample collection which maintains the high viral load criteria please feel free to use the comments section." There are recent studies on testing methods using saliva as the sample collected, this would reduce the cost and risk of the test procedure substantially. Also the test would be far more user friendly making this a possible home kit, reducing risk to lab staff tremendously.· The technician need not be present in the vicinity of the patient during sample collection thus reducing chances of his exposure significantly· The technician now dilutes the suspected antigen laden droplets and collects the resulting specimen solution.2. Latex agglutination- · A black slide with 2 different circles marked on its surface for test and control is needed.· Latex solution with sensitized latex particles is added onto the marked circles on the slide.· Add few drops of our specimen to the test circle and add few drops of water to the control circle of the latex suspension.
RESULTS
POSITIVE· If the test specimen has virions in it, the monoclonal antibodies on the surface of the latex beads, will bind with the spike proteins of the virus resulting in the agglutination of the latex beads, i.e. a visible change. (the solution will lose its uniformity and appear turbid with the agglutinated latex particles)
NEGATIVE· If the specimen taken does NOT have any virions, then there is no antigen antibody interaction, this causes no change in the sensitized latex particles. The latex solution remains unchanged. THIS TEST WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RABIES AND H5N1 VIRUSES.
By, Dr. Pavan Vihar Reddy Podduturi, M.B.B.S
CURRENT TESTS AVAILABLE
PCR tests, isothermic nucleic amplification and various antibody detecting assays.(ranging from 15 min to 24hrs or more)
MY IDEA
· Researchers at Israel have developed monoclonal antibodies which neutralize the COVID virus by binding to its spike proteins.
· These antibodies can be used in making a highly specific rapid antigen test for the virus.
· The principle behind my idea is Latex agglutination test to detect coronavirus antigen in clinical specimen.
Source of my Idea : Latex agglutination test on viruses has been performed successfully for the rapid detection of the rabies and avian flu viruses (h5n1)
the size of the covid 19 virus is 60-140nm almost identical to the dimensions of the H5N1 virus 80-120nm, this further supports this idea for testing.
My proposed test procedure
1. Sample collection-
· As we know the disease spreads through tiny droplets containing the VIRIONS. The sample of choice would be these droplets rich in virions in a person’s cough or sneeze / nasal swab / throat swab.
· A person can simply cough into a sterile bag ( leakproof ) and then the bag is closed.
"This, of course is only being mentioned here as we need the highest possible viral load to avoid false negative results with our test. If anyone has any better ideas for sample collection which maintains the high viral load criteria please feel free to use the comments section."
There are recent studies on testing methods using saliva as the sample collected, this would reduce the cost and risk of the test procedure substantially. Also the test would be far more user friendly making this a possible home kit, reducing risk to lab staff tremendously.
· The technician need not be present in the vicinity of the patient during sample collection thus reducing chances of his exposure significantly
· The technician now dilutes the suspected antigen laden droplets and collects the resulting specimen solution.
2. Latex agglutination-
· A black slide with 2 different circles marked on its surface for test and control is needed.
· Latex solution with sensitized latex particles is added onto the marked circles on the slide.
· Add few drops of our specimen to the test circle and add few drops of water to the control circle of the latex suspension.
RESULTS
POSITIVE
· If the test specimen has virions in it, the monoclonal antibodies on the surface of the latex beads, will bind with the spike proteins of the virus resulting in the agglutination of the latex beads, i.e. a visible change. (the solution will lose its uniformity and appear turbid with the agglutinated latex particles)
NEGATIVE
· If the specimen taken does NOT have any virions, then there is no antigen antibody interaction, this causes no change in the sensitized latex particles. The latex solution remains unchanged.
THIS TEST WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RABIES AND H5N1 VIRUSES.
By, Dr. Pavan Vihar Reddy Podduturi, M.B.B.S
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