Abstract :
Introduction: In December 2019, Wuhan, a province in China, reported an outbreak of pneumonia which
was said to be due to a novel strain of Coronavirus. Initially, it was named as 2019-nCoV by WHO and
later as SARS CoV -2. Early and accurate detection of SARS CoV 2 is necessary for isolating and treating
the infected individuals. WHO has recommended molecular methods as the method of choice for detection
of SARS CoV 2 viral infection. Recently, ICMR, the apex body for medical research and validation of
methods, recommended an indigenous Truenat RTPCR (Molbio diagnostics)system for screening of SARS
CoV2 infection to NABL accredited private laboratories.
Materials and Methods: This observational study was carried out in the molecular biology department of
our diagnostic centre between 11th May to 12th June 2020. A total of 1000 Patients of all ages and both
sexes were included in the study.
Results: There were 604 (60.4%) males and 396 females (39.6%) with a male to female ratio of 1.52:1.
A total of 63 males (67.7%) and 30 females (32.2%) were positive for E gene. Out of total 93 E gene
positive patients, 73 were positive by a confirmatory test with an overall detection rate of 7.3%. Out of the
73 confirmed SARS CoV 2 patients, symptomatic cases accounted for 63% of overall positive patients,
followed by asymptomatic (24.6%) and preoperative patients (3.45%), 2.7% each of follow up positive
cases and contacts of positive patients and 1.36% in pregnant females.
Conclusion: Truenat RTPCR is one such promising indigenous equipment which is cost effective and
can be used to diagnose Corona infection in small laboratories and community centres with minimum
infrastructure. This will help in reducing the burden on government laboratories.
Keyword :
Coronavirus, SARS CoV2, Truenat, RT PCR, Ct value.