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Taiwan develops rapid test for Sars virus: Report
Taipei, Nov 20: Taiwan researchers have developed a test that can diagnose Sars infections as early as the first two to three days after the onset of the deadly virus, it was reported here today.
Taipei, Nov 20: Taiwan researchers have developed a test that can diagnose Sars infections as early as the first two to three days after the onset of the deadly virus, it was
reported here today.
The test, developed by the National Taiwan University, works by detecting the Sars-associated Coronavirus (Sars-Cov) antigens in specimens collected from the patients, according to the ‘Min Sheng’ daily.
"The testings have displayed a high degree of accuracy," the paper cited Chang Ming-Fu, head of the university's Graduate Institute of Biochemistry and Molecularbiology, as saying.
The new test can help identify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) infection much earlier than existing methods which detect the antibodies of Sars-Cov, the paper said.
A Sars patient may not be tested positive to an antibody until more than 28 days after illness onset and possibly longer.
In addition, researchers at the university have also developed a new method to collect specimens from the saliva of the patients by rinsing the mouth with water, the paper said.
Bureau Report
"The testings have displayed a high degree of accuracy," the paper cited Chang Ming-Fu, head of the university's Graduate Institute of Biochemistry and Molecularbiology, as saying.
The new test can help identify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) infection much earlier than existing methods which detect the antibodies of Sars-Cov, the paper said.
A Sars patient may not be tested positive to an antibody until more than 28 days after illness onset and possibly longer.
In addition, researchers at the university have also developed a new method to collect specimens from the saliva of the patients by rinsing the mouth with water, the paper said.
Bureau Report