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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

GS-III :
  • 20 June, 2020

  • 5 Min Read

VTM kits

VTM kits

  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in association with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd and Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), has developed low-cost diagnostic kits.
  • These are Viral Transport Media (VTM) kits, RT-PCR kits, and RNA isolation kits.
  • The VTM kits are the first-stop source used to collect nasal and oral swab specimens from an individual source to a laboratory safely for culture and testing.
  • During this period, the virus, if present, in the sample specimens should remain intact until the testing procedure is completed.
  • The kit consists of a comprehensive solution specially formulated for the collection and transport of SARS-CoV-2.
  • To bring down the cost of kits, we have used material that are available in the local market and they are as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation.
  • These kits comprise two transport media, one for nasopharyngeal and the other for oropharyngeal specimen collection swabs.
  • Both of these are safe to use as they are recommended and validated by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well.
  • The complete package is suitable for the collection, transport, maintenance, and long-term freezer storage of viral specimens.
  • The unique formulation of the transport medium helps in preserving the viability of viruses for up to 72 hours (at refrigerated temperatures).
  • In addition to the sterile VTM kits, the Institute has also developed RNA isolation kits and RT-PCR kits jointly with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd.
  • The isolated and purified RNA is then converted to DNA by an enzyme Reverse Transcriptase (RT), which is used to confirm the presence or absence of COVID-19.

Source: PIB


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