COVID-19 is a vehicle of disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. Most people who get sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special needs. However, some people will develop serious illness and lead to death.
It is very important to diagnose COVID-19 patients quickly and accurately. According to the World Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is considered the gold standard for diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
Progression stages of Covid-19 infection
When infected with SARS-COV-2, the patient will go through three stages:
- The incubation period (0-5 days after infection )
- Onset phase (5th day after infection)
- Giai đoạn hồi phục (ngày thứ 14 sau khi nhiễm).
An infected person can spread the virus to others 2 days before symptoms appear. Therefore, before the patient shows the first symptoms, early detection of the infection is essential.
Currently, RT-PCR test and rapid antigen test are two methods licensed by the Ministry of Health to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Antigen rapid test method
Rapid antigen testing can be done for people with or without symptoms. This method involves collecting nasal and nasopharyngeal secretions with a cotton swab, which is then examined by detecting specific proteins on the surface of the virus called antigens.
Advantage:
- Easy manipulation
- Complex equipment is not require
- Quick result
- Low cost
Disadvantage:
- The sensitivity of this method is less than that of the RT-PCR method
- A scientific study has shown that the rapid test method is highly effective in patients with Ct<25 and highly effective in patients within 5 days of symptom onset.
RT-PCR testing method
The SARS-COV-2 diagnostic RT-PCR test aims to determine the presence of the virus by detecting the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This method can also be performed in people with or without symptoms.
The PCR test is considered the gold standard when it comes to COVID-19 testing, which is the most accurate currently available and has the least risk of false negative results. With high sensitivity (CT ≦ 30, RT-PCR testing can detect virus infections in the final stages of the incubation period and the stage of the disease.
The optimal interval between two tests for effective control is 1-2 days. Although the time to return results is longer than the rapid test method, with the advantages of high sensitivity, the RT-PCR method can isolate infections very early, limiting the risk of cross-infection. between employees. It can be seen that RT-PCR is an effective solution to control epidemics in enterprises.
ABT's total solution for Covid-19 testing
To meet the need for rapid screening, ABT launched the Total Solution Suite to Support Covid-19 Diagnosis.
Included:
- Nasal/ Oral sampling swab
- Viral transport medium (inactivated)
- Silica column extraction kit
- Automated extraction kit
Advantage
- Optimizing costs for an effective solution
- Optimizing time
- Optimizing materials for each customer's needs
- Optimal flexible solution for all testing procedures
Detail: download brochure
In the current situation, screening and detecting new infections plays an extremely important role. RT-PCR is a method suitable for businesses where large numbers of people need to be screened closely. ABT's Covid-19 test solution kit with high sensitivity, specificity and reasonable price, and the support from the manufacturer is a suitable first choice for businesses.
