Are the current RT-PCR tests sufficient to detect the omicron type, know the opinion of experts
Omicron, the newly discovered COVID variant that has sparked fears of vaccine resistance, is the most mutated version of the virus ever detected. Health experts in India on Monday claimed that currently available diagnostic measures cannot accurately detect the Omron COVID variant. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated in the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting viral strains have genetic variation in populations. Molecular, antigenic and serology tests are all affected by viral mutations because of the inherent design differences of each test. The World Health Organization last week classified the latest version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus – B.1.1.1.529 – as Omicron, a variant of concern (VOC), meaning it is more contagious, more virulent. It is possible. Or more efficient at avoiding public health measures, vaccines and therapeutics. According to the global health body, the Omicron variant comes under the S gene. The S gene encodes the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is also specifically targeted to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2. (RT-PCR test effected)
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Common RT-PCR kit will be capable
Most of the current ICMR approved RT-PCR kits in use in India target the E, Rd RP and N genes. In the latest version the mutation has occurred in the S gene. The normal RT-PCR kit being used will be able to identify positive or negative, but will not be able to identify whether a positive result is due to a mutation in the S gene..Arjun Dang, CEO, Dr. Dang’s Lab, told IANS. Told. Veena Menon, Consultant, Clinical Virology, Amrita Hospital, said that according to the data, RT-PCR kits for the S gene, especially ThermoFisher’s Takpath kit, will be able to screen for new variants. Researchers have found B.1.1.1.529 in genome-sequencing data from Botswana. The variant stood out because it contained more than 30 changes in the spike protein – the SARS-CoV-2 protein that recognizes host cells and is the main target of the body’s immune responses. Among the large number of mutations, some are related. The WHO said that preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection of this type compared to other VOCs. Meanwhile, the global health body said that existing SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics are continuing to detect the new variant.
One of the three target genes not detected
Many laboratories have indicated that for a widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure), and so this test is called This type can be used as a marker, pending sequencing confirmation, the WHO statement said. Gene dropout is a condition in which if a mutation occurs in the part of the virus’s genome as assessed by PCR testing, the sample may result in a gene dropout. Using this approach, this type of infection is detected at faster rates than in previous surges, suggesting that this variant may have an evolutionary advantage. But mutations in the S gene are more common, which not only Virus affects infectivity, but also affects identity. This was also seen in the case of Alpha and Beta variants. The new variant has the same mutation/deletion as the alpha variant and hence the S gene drop out test, which is a PCR method, can be used as a preliminary screening test.
COVID-19 assays can report accurate results (RT-PCR test effected)
Thermo Fisher Scientific announced on Monday that its COVID-19 diagnostic test TackPath COVID-19 Assays, also approved by the US FDA – can accurately detect omicrons. In a statement, the company said that TaqPath COVID-19 assays can report accurate results, even in the case where one of the gene targets is affected by a mutation. In addition, according to Mark Stevenson, Chief Operating Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, it [ओमाइक्रोन] Can also be used as a proxy for versioning. First found in Botswana and South Africa, Omicron has since spread to various countries in Europe, including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and the UK, Australia and Canada, among others. (RT-PCR test effected)
