Innovative Patient Friendly Saline Gargle RT-PCR Testing Method

The Saline Gargle method offers a bunch of attractive benefits, all rolled into one. It is simple, fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly and comfortable; it also offers instant results and is well-suited for rural and tribal areas, given minimal infrastructure requirements. Swab collection method requires time. Moreover, since it is an invasive technique, it is a bit uncomfortable for patients. Some time is lost also in the transport of the sample to the collection centre. On the other hand, the Saline Gargle RT-PCR method is instant, comfortable and patient-friendly. Sampling is done instantly and results will be generated within 3 hours.

This innovative testing technique will be especially beneficial for rural and tribal areas where infrastructure requirements can be a constraint. The novel-technique has received the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and DCGI. NEERI  has further been asked to train other testing labs, to help scale up its adoption across the country.

The method is non-invasive and so simple that the patient can self-collect the sample. Collection methods like nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab collection require technical expertise; they are also time-consuming. In contrast, the Saline Gargle RT-PCR method uses a simple collection tube filled with saline solution. The patient gargles the solution and releases the rinse inside the tube. This sample in the collection tube is taken to the laboratory where it is incubated at room temperature with a special buffer solution prepared by NEERI, this releases the viral RNA. The RNA template is further processed for  Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). This particular method of collecting and processing the sample enables us to save on the otherwise costly infrastructural requirement of  RNA extraction. The method is environment-friendly as well, since waste generation is minimized.

• Nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab and viral transport medoim NOT required
• Skilled health care workers for sample collection NOT required
• Non-invasive sampleing and patient friendly
• Waste generation during sample collection is minimised
• Self sampling is possible
• Fast sampling is posssible
• Long quesues of patients/persons at sample collection center can be minimised
• No RNA extraction kit required. Simple room temperature incubation in buffer, follwed by heating for few minutes is good enogh to gove reasinably good RNA templete for direct RT-PCR.
• Saves Money and time.