Electrochemical ELISA test will help in rapid & accurate estimation of total antibody concentration of COVID 19

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Electrochemical ELISA test will help in rapid & accurate estimation of total antibody concentration of COVID 19
Indian startups are continuously developing technologies and innovative products that are enabling India to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, PathShodh Healthcare, a Bangalore-based start-up has developed a new product that can accurately estimate the total antibody concentration of COVID 19 in clinical samples.

Electrochemical ELISA test

Department of Science and Technology (DST) funded, PathShodh Healthcare has developed an Electrochemical ELISA test that enables fast and accurate estimation of total antibody concentration of COVID 19 in clinical samples. The product has made a very significant breakthrough to develop the first of its kind, semi-quantitative Electrochemical ELISA test for COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies.

What are IgM and IgG antibodies?

IgM is a type of antibody that is produced by the body when a new infection or a new “non-self” antigen enters the human body. This antibody provides short-term protection to the body and is produces in abundance in the initial weeks and then it decreases as IgG takes its place. The IgG antibody is produced when the same virus or infection enters the body.

The semi-quantitative Electrochemical ELISA test detects the same IgM and IgG antibodies when Coronavirus enters someone’s body. The device estimates the antibodies in quick time with accuracy, which further helps in the treatment of the Covid patients.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has given the license to PathShodh Healthcare for manufacturing and sale. The product was validated at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, as per the requirements of ICMR.

Prof. Navakanta Bhat, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Professor, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc, said, “ The capability to quantify the COVID-19 antibody concentration will be very crucial in estimating the temporal decay of antibodies, and hence its possible impact on immunity against recurrence of infection. On a related note, this technique will also play a very big role in elucidating seroconversion response to COVID-19 vaccines, and thereby play a supporting role in vaccination programs in future”. Prof. Navakanta Bhat is also the co-founder of PathShodh Healthcare.

The test kit

The Electrochemical ELISA test consists of two elements. A handheld analyzer and a test blood strip. A sample of blood is drooped on the strip, after that the strip is inserted in the handheld analyzer, which gives out the detailed report within five minutes.

The report can be downloaded on the mobile phone and can be shared with doctors for consultation. Onboard memory to store more than 1 lakh real-time test results, Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones, and cloud storage are some of the unique features of the technology.

It also includes a touch screen display, a rechargeable battery, capabilities to map the patient data to Aadhar number, and the possibility of connecting test data through APIs to Aarogya Setu.