• Dr. Mayur Tamhane
• Dr. Palak Agrawal
• Dr. Amol Ghule
• Mr. Kalpesh Khutade
• Dr. Ramesh Chaturvedi

We have successfully validated the use of isothermal nucleic acid amplification testing method for rapid, economical surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome causing coronavirus type 2 strains (SARS-CoV2) and its potential spread of coronavirus related disease (COVID). A total of 102 patients were tested with colorimetric reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification based nucleic acid amplification (RT-LAMP) testing and results validated with real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing. The colorimetric RT-LAMP detection indicated a sensitivity of 98.87% (95% CI, 0.96 - 1.01), specificity of 100% and represents a viable alternative to cost-demanding thermal cycling technologies. The testing was performed in duration of 2 hours, within which RNA extraction was done in 90 minutes and SARS-CoV-2 detection was visually indicated in just 30 minutes by colour change of incorporated pH indicator. The sample cohort belonged to rural settings of various regions in Thane district of Maharashtra, India. Using the isothermal testing, we report the SARS-CoV2 detection in 32 of 42 female patients (76%) and in 48 of 60 male patients (80%). Through our results we propose employment of a rapid and economical Point of Care testing diagnostics based on an isothermal nucleic acid detection technology that does not require expensive thermal cycling equipment, and can be conducted and recorded economically with smartphone enabled color detection application, at the site of patient location. This would aid in limiting the spread of infectious SARS-CoV-2 strains, if present, in the symptomatic as well as asymptomatic human carriers or zoonotic reservoirs of severely pathogenic virus.

SARS-CoV-2, COVID, Isothermal amplification, RT-LAMP, Molecular testing

"Validation of an economical Reverse Transcription Loop mediated Isothermal Amplification based diagnostic testing for COVID19 related SARS-CoV2 surveillance in resource limited regions", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 3, page no.2934-2942, March-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2103376.pdf

"Validation of an economical Reverse Transcription Loop mediated Isothermal Amplification based diagnostic testing for COVID19 related SARS-CoV2 surveillance in resource limited regions", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 3, page no. pp2934-2942, March-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2103376.pdf