Confirmation of Sars-CoV2 (Covid-19) by Latest Molecular-based PCR (RT-PCR) Technique

Overview of the Disease

Origin:

Corona virus Disease (Covid-19), one of the largest pandemics in the history of the world, was identified for the first time in Wuhan, China, around December, 2019. Covid-19 had its first confirmation in Kerala, India of a 20 years old female.

Causative Agent of Covid-19:

According to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), under the authority of International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), the virus responsible for Covid-19 world-wide outbreak was SARS-CoV-2, i.e., Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2.

Physiology of SARS-Cov-2:

SARS-CoV-2 is a virion of approximately 60-140 nanometers diameter, consisting of an N protein (Nucleocapsid) proteins which holds the single stranded RNA, membrane, envelope, S or spike proteins. This Spike protein is the main arena of function of the virion to attach and get fused to the host cells.

Death Tolls all over the World:

Covid-19 affected the world population drastically with the death of almost 3-4 million according to the official report of World Health Organization (WHO).

Symptoms of Covid-19

According to World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms for Covid-19, which need medical consultation, are standardized as follows:

Fever with Shiver and Chills
Cough
Runny nose
Sneezing
Breathing problem
Headache
Body ache
Tiredness
Sore throat
Lack of hunger
Lack of sensation of Taste
Loss of Smell

Prevention of Covid-19

“Prevention is better than cure”-

We all are familiar with this phrase. So, according to the advisory of World Health Organization, the most widely spread preventive measures, to stop community infection, in case of Covid-19 outbreaks, are listed as below:

Voluntary or Self Quarantine
Maintain mandatory Quarantine period for Hospital staffs, Cruise ships, etc.
Avoid crowding
Maintenance of Hygiene
Isolation in case of symptom expression
Wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Workplace, Schools, Colleges should be completely closed
Social Distancing is mandatory
Wearing mask, gloves are a necessity
Cleaning hands with sanitizer or alcohol-based hand-rubs

For Free Consultation From the Doctor

Get connected to our doctor directly-

Dr. Ravin Sharma MBBS, MD Radiology)
Phone Number- 9212125996
Available- 24*7*365

Diagnosis of Covid-19: Overview of Tools and Techniques

Directions for sample collection

The phlebotomist or technician, collecting the sample for Covid-19, must maintain the required distance with the patient.
The Technician should wear mask, gloves and PPE according to the severity of symptom in the patient.

Types of samples to be collected for diagnosis:

Nasopharyngeal swab from Nose
Throat swab from Throat
Saliva
Blood
Sputum

Sample Transport

The sample for Covid-19 diagnosis must be transported through Viral Transport Medium (VTM).
The healthcare professional, associated to the transport of sample collection from the patient’s quarantine center to the diagnostic center, should wear PPE kit and maintain social distancing.

Best Technique for the diagnosis of Covid-19

The most rapid and accurate way of diagnosis for the detection and confirmation of SARS-Cov-2 is Real Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, i.e., Real Time RT-PCR.

What is Real Time RT-PCR?

Real Time RT-PCR is a molecular biology based technique, where a definite targeted gene sequence is amplified to numerous numbers and detected by fluorescent probes.

It is a highly accurate and sensitive technique to detect Covid-19 virus and working with same level of efficiency till date.

Steps of Real Time RT-PCR

Extraction: Samples are treated with chemicals to have extracted nucleic acid from them, i.e., Ribonucleic acid (RNA) in case of Covid-19 diagnosis, as SARS-Cov-2 is a RNA virus.
Reverse Transcription: The extracted nucleic acid, RNA, is then reversely transcribed to form DNA.
Performing Polymerase Chain Reaction: Denaturation, Annealing, Extension or Amplification of the targeted genetic region for the diagnosis of the virus
Repetition of the cycle: Total number of cycle for the process will be 40.
Time of Report: The report for COVID-19 diagnosis with Real Time RT-PCR technique is 24 hours.

Obtaining Result: The sensitivity and reproducibility of result is optimized using standards and the obtained record of amplification of concerned gene will be analyzed by Molecular Biologist, followed by final medical advisory by Doctor.

Indication of Positive and Negative Result: The amplification of concerned viral gene segment indicates positive result for Covid-19, whereas, it will be considered negative for opposite condition.

Risk- Factor Associated with Covid-19 testing

For patient: There are no risk or side effects associated with the Covid-19 Real Time RT-PCR test.
For Healthcare Technologists: Wearing PPE during the test procedure and handling the sample is must.

Real Time RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, a renowned and leading medical diagnostic laboratory in India, is having the best and highest accurate Real Time RT-PCR machine, to diagnose COVID-19 in the most reliable way, reasonable price, and less time.

Latest Real Time RT-PCR machines used for diagnosis of Covid-19 are listed here:

Truelab Quattro Real-Time Quantitative PCR Machine
CFX96 Bio-Rad Real-Time PCR Machine
Genetix HT 96 Purifier Machine
Genetix 32 purifier machine
Biorad CFX96 Real Time System
Truelab® Uno Dx Real Time Quantitative Micro PCR Analyzer

Why to Choose Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre for Real Time RT-PCR Test to Diagnose Covid-19?

NABL, NABH accredited laboratory
24×365 open for patients of any kind of test, with availability of expert staffs
Free home collection of all types of samples by Expert technicians and phlebotomists.
Master Technicians at all departments
Doctorate (Ph.D. & MD) Scientific officers and In-charges at all departments
50% Discount at kind of tests of all departments
Online availability of reports for all kinds of tests.
Extra-caring and helpful staffs
Ambulance availability for patients 24×365 free of cost
Free transport facility for patients who come from distant locations