PGI chosen for validation of rapid antigen testing

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is among the seven sites chosen by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for validation of the rapid point-of-care antigen detection tests for Covid-19.

As per the initial plan, both rapid antigen and RT-PCR tests will be conducted on around 300 patients. The results will then be collated for authenticity and other parameters.

The PGI Director, Prof Jagat Ram, said, “The availability of an antigen-based detection test is very limited across the world. Most of such tests have relatively moderate sensitivity, but high specificity. The test is a promising tool to keep a track of Covid patients by rapid testing. We are thankful to the ICMR for having entrusted us with this responsibility and we will strengthen our capacities wherever required.”

Further detailing about the execution plan, he said, “A committee will be constituted to work out the modalities and comprehensive plan, along with timelines, to meet the desired expectations of the ICMR and contribute towards containing the pandemic.”

Need for antigen for mass testing

A letter from the ICMR dated June 25 read, “The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for Covid-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is an urgent requirement of reliable and convenient rapid point of care antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private healthcare settings and made available for mass testing,” the letter further reads.”

How it’s different from rt-pcr test

• The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard test for detecting Covid-19 cases and the average time taken is around 4-5 hours from receipt of sample to getting the result. The test starts with a simple swab taken from a person’s throat or nose.
• The new antigen tests that have been approved for the Covid-19 diagnosis in India give results in 30 minutes. It can detect presence of molecules of the pathogen that triggers immune response in infected persons.
• The ICMR, in an advisory, recommended that the antigen test should be carried out in combination with the gold standard RT-PCR test. As per the advisory, “Suspected individuals, who test negative for Covid-19 by rapid antigen test, should be definitely tested sequentially by RT-PCR to rule out infection, whereas a positive test should be considered as a true positive and does not need reconfirmation by RT-PCR test.”