In April this year, the world was rocked by news of the first known outbreak of a new virus in humans. A virus called COVID-19, or Coronavirus SARS-like virus. Since then, more than 20 people have died from this deadly disease and hundreds more have been diagnosed with it. The mortality rate of this new strain is currently above 60%. Scientists are working around the clock to create a vaccine for COVID-19 but so far they haven't been successful with their efforts. However, there is hope because researchers at National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) India have found a way to detect antibodies produced by the patient's body against this deadly disease.
You may have heard of ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a common lab test used to detect antibodies in blood. The COVID KAVACH ELISA is a new version of the test that can detect coronavirus infection before symptoms appear. This can help patients receive treatment sooner, improving outcomes and reducing mortality rates.
The test works by detecting specific antibodies in your blood, which are produced by your immune system when it detects an infection. If you have the coronavirus, these antibodies will be present in your bloodstream within one to four weeks following exposure to the virus—long before any symptoms appear!
Neutralising antibodies are the most effective way to protect against severe disease or death from Covid-19.
The test can detect the presence of neutralising antibodies that protect against severe disease and death.
The test is expected to be priced at Rs 400 per kit and will be produced in India.
The test will cost Rs 400 per kit and be produced in India. It will be made available across all states and union territories of the country, while being available at government hospitals as well as private hospitals.
The test is called ELISA or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The ELISA is an immunoassay that uses an enzyme to detect the presence of an antigen.
All antibodies have a specific structure, in other words they are all defined by their variable regions and constant regions. Variable region helps in recognizing foreign antigens while constant region determines how strongly they attach themselves to those antigens.
The ICMR has granted permission for this test a few hours ago. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the premier body for medical research in India. It was established in 1962 by an act of parliament and is a part of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The ICMR is also responsible for facilitating research on infectious diseases and associated complications at national level.
The WHO has been working with experts from around the world to develop new tools that will help identify patients at risk from detecting pathogenic COVIDs early on so that they can be treated before symptoms appear or before they infect other people. Based on their findings, they recommend that countries screen high-risk groups such as pregnant women and those living with them through blood testing every 6 weeks during pregnancy until delivery; newborn babies; children aged 5 years old and above; migrants returning from affected areas within 21 days after leaving those areas; healthcare workers caring for suspected cases in health facilities; close contacts including household members and family members who may have had contact within 14 days prior to symptom development (for example sharing personal items such as toothbrushes).
As per the Government's guidelines, antibody tests are likely to be allowed only as a part of epidemiological studies. The COVID KAVACH ELISA is one such test that has been developed for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against dengue virus in serum samples.
We know that it can be used to detect the presence of antibodies against the virus and is also a diagnostic test.
It can also be used to detect neutralising antibodies that protect against severe disease and death due to dengue infection (including dengue shock syndrome).
It can be easy to become impatient with the progress of vaccine development. The process is complex, and it takes years, not months, to develop a vaccine that is both safe and effective. Scientists are working around the clock to create a vaccine for COVID-19. It’s important to remember that there is an entire team behind every one of our vaccines—and each scientist has their own role in ensuring your protection from disease.
The next time you hear about a new outbreak or see an article about scientists who are trying their best to save lives around the world, remember that these hardworking people are doing everything they can right now so that we don’t all have to live in fear anymore!
Scientists are working around the clock to create a vaccine for COVID-19.