Role of Rapid Antigen Test in the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in India
Aroop Mohanty *
Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Ankita Kabi
Department of Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Science Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Subodh Kumar
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Gorakhpur, ttar Pradesh, India.
Vivek Hada
Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In the current world scenario where we are seeing of an alarming increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, it is necessary that in addition to RT-PCR assays, there is development and standardization of other rapid and efficient diagnostic tests. In relation to the total number of confirmed cases, India ranks second only behind the United States and according to forecasts it will not be long before it reaches the first place. As in developing countries, such as India, it is difficult to implement molecular biology facilities in all centres, the creation of rapid antigen tests is increasingly common in the detection and diagnosis of cases of COVID-19 in an early stage limiting the spread of infection.”
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, RT-PCR, COVID-19, antigen test.