Positive India: Scientists have made a unique method of RT-PCR test, will have to gargle with saltwater

Since the outbreak of the global pandemic Covid-19, India has been taking several steps to increase its testing infrastructure and capacity. Scientists of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have made another record in this series, under which 'salt water' for testing samples of Covid-19. Gargle (saline gargle) RT-PCR method' has been explored. This method will give results within three hours.

Multiple benefits from one method: Simple, fast, comfortable, and economical

This method of gargling with salt water (Saline Gargle) gives many benefits at once. This method is simple, fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly, and comfortable and also gives quick results. Considering the minimum infrastructure requirements, this method is suitable for rural and tribal areas.

Dr. Krishna Khairnar, Senior Scientist, Environmental Virology Cell, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) said that the swab collection method requires time. In addition, since this technique may introduce some discomfort during the investigation of potential infections, they can be uncomfortable at times. Also, it takes some time to take the samples thus collected to the collection center and testing center. On the other hand, the RT-PCR method of saline gargle is quick, comfortable, and patient-friendly. The sample is taken immediately and the result will be available within three hours.

The patient can collect his sample

According to Dr. Khairnar, this method is non-invasive and so simple that the patient can collect the sample himself. He said, “Collection methods such as collecting nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs from the nose and the mouth require technical expertise and are time-consuming. In contrast, the RT-PCR method of saline gargles The patient uses a simple collection tube filled with saline water, gargles with this solution, and puts it inside the tube.

This sample in the collection tube is taken to the laboratory where it is placed at room temperature in a special buffer solution prepared by NEERI. The solution is heated to form an RNA template, which is further processed by reverse transcription-polymerase. Processed for chain reaction (RT-PCR). This special method of collecting and processing the sample enables us to use it in place of other costly infrastructure requirements of RNA extraction. Testing can also be done, as in this method the sample can be taken on its own. This method is also environmentally friendly, as it minimizes waste generation.

Boon for testing in rural and tribal areas

Scientists expect this unique testing technique to be particularly beneficial for rural and tribal areas where infrastructure requirements may still be a hindrance. This non-technology has got the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Also, NEERI has been asked to arrange necessary training for other testing laboratories to help in its use across the country. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has been permitted to go ahead with this process, after which the testing has started as per the approved testing protocol in NEERI.

Need to implement all over India

Scientists, researchers, and lab technicians from the Environmental Virology Cell at NEERI have worked tirelessly to develop this patient-friendly technology amid rising COVID-19 infections in the Vidarbha region. Dr. Khairnar and his team hope that this methodology will be implemented nationally, resulting in faster and more citizen-friendly testing, and further strengthening our fight against the pandemic.