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With each passing day, there have been advances in solutions to detect the new coronavirus. Portugal is also doing its part and after the fans the bet is on the tests for COVID-19.
A team of Portuguese researchers recently created a saliva test that can detect, in 30 to 60 minutes, if a person is infected.
A group of Portuguese scientists created a rapid diagnostic test from saliva. According to shared information, the test, applied directly to saliva samples, uses LAMP technology (isothermal amplification method, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) that allows, through a color change visible to the naked eye, to know in 30 to 60 minutes regardless of whether a person is infected with SARS-CoV-2.
“If the reaction is pink, the test is negative. If it is yellow, it is positive, "says the ITQB note, noting that the test is" particularly suitable "for screening for covid-19 in airports, homes or schools, given its" speed, sensitivity, ease of collection and reduced cost ".
The technology was developed by a team from the António Xavier Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ITQB) of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Bromatology and Biological Defense of the Army and the Hospital das Forças Armadas.
Saliva collection is done by the person, who spits directly into a container (similar to what is done in urine tests), eliminating the need for swabs and the use of specialized personnel. The test is done directly from saliva: if the reaction has turned pink, the test is negative; if it is yellow, it is positive. With the direct test it is possible to detect less than 100 copies of the virus per test, with a sensitivity of 85%, which makes it possible to evaluate the infectivity of the person at that time, important, for example, to allow entry into airplanes.
LAMP COVID-19 tests detect a specific DNA sequence
LAMP tests allow you to quickly detect the presence of a specific DNA sequence. Its use, combined with reverse transcriptase (RT), makes it possible to detect the RNA of various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
Catarina Pimentel, leader of the ITQB NOVA research team, said that ...
For a lower value than a single conventional RT-PCR test, it is possible, for example, to test an entire class of students.
They are a strong alternative to RT-PCR, due to their high specificity, sensitivity, cost-benefit ratio, and the speed with which results can be obtained. In RT-LAMP, the amplification of the genetic material of the virus occurs at constant temperature, so the tests can be carried out anywhere with basic resources: it is only necessary to have an electric hob or a water bath at constant temperature - in this case, 65 ° C.
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