Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Expertise (SCTIMST) has developed two varieties of nasal and oral swabs and viral transport medium for COVID-19 testing, the institute mentioned in an announcement on Sunday.

Chitra Viral Transport Medium is particularly designed to retain the virus in its lively kind throughout its transportation from the gathering level to the laboratory. Presently, kits containing 50 numbers of (3ml/vial) viral transport medium with 50 swabs value is upwards of Rs 12,000, the assertion mentioned.

The ergonomic design of the swabs helps in improved specimen assortment with minimal discomfort to sufferers. Secure and handy breakpoint ensures minimal contact with the well being employee with the pattern throughout packing, it added. The entry of those two swabs developed with domestically out there materials can scale back import dependency of the supplies at the moment used and meet the massive demand for them at a lot decrease prices.

“Chitra EmBed flocked nylon swabs (co-developed with Mallelil Industries Pvt ltd) and Chitra EnMesh, polymeric foam-tipped, lint-free swabs with versatile plastic handles have each confirmed effectivity within the adequacy of specimen assortment, speedy elution of specimen into the liquid viral medium and good restoration of viral RNA collected utilizing these swabs and medium,” learn the assertion.

Nasal and throat specimens collected with specifically designed swabs are used for the detection of SARS-COV2 by viral gene amplification technique which is critical for the affirmation of COVID-19.

Correct and sufficient specimen assortment and its transport in an acceptable liquid medium are crucial for guaranteeing good high quality and amount of viral RNA from the pattern for testing as this affect the accuracy of the take a look at. Centre for illness management and prevention (CDC) USA, recommends using artificial fibre swabs with plastic shafts, ideally flocked swabs when out there.

Applied sciences for each swabs and viral transport medium have been transferred to 2 industries for instant manufacture and gross sales, Mallelil Industries, Origin diagnostics and Levram Life sciences. They are going to be out there as sterile, ready-to-use units, the assertion added.