Rapid 90-minute COVID-19 test that has been shown to be very accurate

In the 90-minute COVID-19 test, new studies show over 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Works published in the journal Lancet microorganisms, The study used 386 NHS staff and patients with fast tests that did not require a laboratory and could be run on cartridges smaller than mobile phones.

Lab-in-cartridge rapid testing equipment that can be performed at the patient’s bedside has been shown to have over 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity. False negative And no false positive..

The test is currently being successfully used in eight hospitals in London and will be rolled out at the national level, with data continuing to be collected from the test device for ongoing evaluation. The UK government recently ordered 5.8 million test kits.

To run the test, insert a pediatric-sized nasal swab from the patient into the device and then look for traces of genetic material belonging to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes CORS–19.

Results are available within 90 minutes compared to the traditional COVID-19 test, which produces results in 24 hours. This test has been developed to evaluate Flu-A, Flu-B, RSV, and COVID 19 simultaneously.

Professor Graham Cook, lead author of research in the Imperial Infectious Diseases Division, said: “These results suggest that tests that can be performed at the patient’s bedside without the need to handle sample material have the same accuracy as standard clinical tests. Many tests have speed and With the trade-off of accuracy, this test can achieve both. Developing an effective bedside test in less than three months is an amazing collaboration between a team of engineers, clinicians and virologists. did.”

Manufactured by White City-based empire start-up DnaNudge, the device has 280 NHS staff suspected of COVID-19, 15 A & E patients suspected of COVID-19, and 91 inpatients. (Some COVID-19 symptoms were not displayed).

Samples from all individuals studied were analyzed on both a rapid testing device called the COVIDNudge test and a standard hospital laboratory device, and the results were compared.

A research team that included scientists and clinicians from Imperial, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Donanadge, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Oxford University Hospital NHS Trust evaluated sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity is a measure of how positive a test gives a sick person, and how likely it is that a false negative result will occur on the test. Specificity, on the other hand, is a measure of the ability of a test to give a negative result to a non-diseased person and an indicator of the likelihood of a false positive result.

The proportion of patients found to be positive for COVID-19 was 18% (the study was conducted at the peak of COVID-19). The results show that the COVID Nudge test was positive for 67 samples, while a series of NHS standard laboratory machines representing a sensitivity value of 94% gave 71 positive results. Chris Toumazou, professor Regius, CEO and co-founder of DnaNudge and founder of the Imperial Institute for Biomedical Engineering, said: From the scale, I am convinced that there is tremendous potential in terms of large population trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. This platform is ideal for testing in primary care and community settings that may be used in non-medical facilities such as long-term care facilities. Helps revive art in schools, transportation hubs, offices, and theaters and venues. But,Clinical setting You will need it before deploying it extensively. “

The research team will add CE-marked devices to enable additional use in non-clinical locations (previously approved by the UK Pharmaceuticals and Medical Regulatory Authority).

The team will explain that each device is Wi-Fi enabled so that the test results can be safely sent to the hospital’s recording system.

Tests of this study were conducted at three NHS sites from April 10th to May 12th. St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London. Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford.

Dr. Bob Clubber, Director of Strategy, Research and Innovation at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are an organization focused on using research and innovation to drive continuous improvement in care. Together with many patients and staff, DnaNudge, Imperial College London, Trust scientists and clinicians. It’s great to work closely with innovators. Evaluate the utility and relevance of this exciting thing. test.. Returning accurate results to clinicians and their patients as quickly as possible can make a big difference in how we manage our clinical pathways safely, and we look forward to expanding this more widely. ”