Development of a new blood test that detects people with corona without symptoms

 

 

6/18/2020

 

British researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect people with the Corona virus who have no symptoms.

The new test can detect up to 98% of HIV infections, after existing tests were limited to detecting those with severe symptoms of the virus.

The University of Birmingham test will put the "hidden" infected people on the radar, with significant negative repercussions for businesses, families and schools.

The test works by checking the antibodies produced by the immune system, when corona invades cells.

The researchers say that victims of all kinds of infections interact with the pins that emerge from the virus, while it appears that severe cases interact with the main body of the virus.

Alex Richter, of the Institute of Immunology in Birmingham, said the results were based on studies of 1,000 health workers.

"We found that detection of antibodies in patients with severe illness in the hospital is quite clear, yet it appears that if you have mild symptoms or no symptoms, your response may be weaker in the current protein tests."

"In our test, we use the folded form of the spike protein, the protein the virus uses to bind to cells in the first place. The new test has a sensitivity of 98%, which changes the rules of the game for testing in our country and in other countries. The test, which will be launched in the month, is approved," she said. Next on the heel prick method used for newborns. "

Dr. Richter said that this method was accurate in detecting the virus, such as using blood drawn directly from the veins, according to the British Daily Mail.