Electrochemical ELISA Test for COVID
Source : PIB
GS III : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Why in News ?

Bangalore-based start-up has developed a novel, point-of-care Electrochemical ELISA test that enables fast and accurate estimation of total antibody concentration of COVID 19 in clinical samples.

About the test

• The test kit come in two parts.
  • One is the handheld analyser which reads the blood sample and gives a detailed report.
  • The other is a test strip where a drop of blood from one’s fingertip is inserted into the device.
• The handheld device provides the results within five minutes, the results of which can be downloaded on your mobile phone.
• It has been interfaces with disposable test strips functionalized with immunoreceptors specific to COVID-19 antibodies.
• As the results are automatically displayed by the handheld reader, there are no subjective errors due to the manual readout of test results. T
• The other unique features of this technology include onboard memory to store more than 1 lakh real-time test results,
• Capabilities to map the patient data to Aadhar number, and the possibility of connecting test data through APIs to Aarogya Setu.

Key Facts

• A very significant breakthrough to develop the first of its kind, semi-quantitative Electrochemical ELISA test for COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies.
• While Qualitative analysis detects constituent elements in the sample, semiquantitative analysis gives an approximate estimation of their concentrations.
• This novel technology and product was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
• 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.
• It play a very big role in elucidating seroconversion response to COVID-19 vaccines, and thereby play a supporting role in vaccination programs in future.

What are IgM and IgG antibodies ?

• They are Immunoglobulins.
• It play a key role in the body’s immune system.
• They are proteins produced by specific immune cells called plasma cells in response to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
• Also with the exposures to other substances that are recognized by the body as non-self harmful antigens.
• The amount of immunoglobulins A, G, and M (IgA, IgG, IgM) in the blood and, in certain circumstances, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or saliva helps to identify the immunity.
• How it Works ?
  • Once identifies the threat, plasma cells to produce specific immunoglobulin, also called antibodies, that can bind to and neutralize the threat.  
• Immunoglobulins produced in our body
  • Immunoglobulin M (IgM) – IgM antibodies are produced as a body’s first response to a new infection.
  • Immunoglobulin G (IgG) – About 70-80% of the immunoglobulins in the blood are IgG.
  • Immunoglobulin A (IgA) – IgA comprises about 15% of the total immunoglobulins in the blood but is also found in saliva, tears, respiratory and gastric secretions, and breast milk.
  • Immunoglobulin D (IgD) – The role of IgD is not completely understood and IgD is not routinely measured.
  • Immunoglobulin E (IgE) – IgE is associated with allergies, allergic diseases, and with parasitic infections.

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