Question:Consider the following statements:
(1) Antigens are foreign substances which induce an immune response in people
(2) For faster detection of Covid 19 infections ,Government of India has approved Rapid Antigen Test in combination with RT-PCR test.
(3) South Korea based company SD Biosensor has got approval to manufacture Rapid Antigen Test kits
of the above correct statement/s is/are:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2&3
(c) Only1&2
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)
Related facts:
- On June 15, 2020, The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of Standard Q COVID-19 Ag antigen detection test in containment zones and healthcare settings in combination with the RT-PCR test.
- In due process nasal swabs will be taken out from the desired persons and checked whether the presence of antigens which are found on or within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Antigens are foreign substances which induce an immune response in people.
- Further, if the test result of the antigen test is positive then it can be considered as a confirmation of the infection but if it shows negative result then according to ICMR an RT-PCR test also be done to find out the infection.
- The result will take a maximum of 30 minutes.
- Specificity of the test ranged from 99.3 to 100% at the two sites and sensitivity of the test [i.e. ability to detect true positives] ranged from 50.6% to 84% in two independent evaluations, depending upon the viral load of the patient.
- The kit has been approved of only one manufacturer, SD Biosensor, having its manufacturing unit in Manesar, Gurugram.
By-Amar Mani Upadhyay