Covid-19: a rapid test developed in Belgium
The Brussels Academic Hospital Lab (LHUB-ULB) has announced it has developed a diagnosis test that detects the presence of the Covid-19 virus in 15 minutes in severely infected patients.
LHUB-ULB and other partners have collaborated with Coris Bioconcept (www.corisbio.com) based in Gembloux. It is an "antigen" test: it will react to antigens (viral proteins) and detect them in a respiratory sample (throat, nose, nasopharynx). The sample is taken using a small swab (brush) inserted into the patient's nose.
"This rapid diagnosis test is based on the principle of immunochromatography (a strip test comparable to a pregnancy test) and allows the virus antigens to be detected directly in the respiratory samples of about 60% of patients," announced LHUB-ULB.
This test has been certified by the Belgian health authorities as a frontline test for patients suspected of having contracted the Covid-19 virus. Sick people arriving at emergency units are diagnosed in 15 minutes: a major asset in the fight against the spread of the virus.
However, if a person is showing symptoms but the rapid test is negative, a second test is carried out using the molecular biology diagnosis method with laboratory analysis.
The entire scientific community is combining its strengths to fight the pandemic