The current standard method of detecting the novel Coronavirus relies on PCR (or polymerase chain reaction) to generate billions of copies of the virus’ DNA, so its presence can be detected. This process, however, can take up to four hours — which is far from efficient. To workaround, this problem, a team of Japanese researches has developed a technique that can test the viral infection in only ten minutes.
The technique utilizes a portable test kit which takes a sample from the subject’s throat or nose. The swab is then cultured with a fluorescent marker that makes the viral material visible once it has reached detectable levels (usually 10 minutes). Factor in the time consumed to prepare the cultures; it takes 40 minutes to run a complete test. The testing kit weighs only 2.4 kilos and can test up to 700 samples in 24 hours.
The device has been developed by Nagasaki University, in partnership with Canon Medical Systems and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. The project is overseen by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Note that the same team has previously developed diagnostic systems for Zika and Ebola viruses.
Clinical trials have begun in Nagasaki Prefecture and Canon’s subsidiary -- Canon Medical Systems is planning on putting the kit into production. The university intends to provide hospitals and medical institutions with the testing units in the coming months.
As of now, the virus is classified as a pandemic by WHO and it has reached 178 countries. So far, 284,978 cases have been reported, and the virus has caused 11,842 worldwide. China has seen 3,255 deaths, and the death toll is even higher in Italy, where the virus has claimed 4,032 lives. The numbers are growing exponentially, which makes speedy diagnosis at an early stage of the disease all the more crucial.