Tests for Detecting Coronavirus

As the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing, countries around the world are racing to develop an accurate ad inexpensive test for detecting the virus.

Types of Tests

The SARS CoV 2 is only 50 to 200 nanometres wide and hence cannot be detected using microscopes or other traditional tools. The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, an international non-profit organisation, classifies the tests for detecting COVID-19 into two types:

• Molecular assays
• Immuno-assays

Molecular Assays

Molecular assays based tests are the most widely used ones at present. These can either be automated or performed manually. In these tests, the PCR technique (polymerase chain reaction) is used in which the viral RNA is converted into complementary strands of DNA, amplified and then detected using fluorescent probes.

Immuno-assays

The other less common type of tests is the immune-assay technique. These can also be automated/ performed manually and provide rapid results. These tests identify the antibodies (IgM and IgG) that are produced by the body against the virus. It can function using a range of samples like blood, serum, plasma, etc.