Research
Title : | Development of a low cost anosmia screening tool to mass screen asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers |
Area of research : | COVID-19 Research, Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | COVID-19 Diagnostics |
Principal Investigator : | Dr Jackson James, Scientist, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram |
Timeline Start Year : | 2020 |
Contact info : | jjames@rgcb.res.in |
Details
Executive Summary : | This project proposes to develop a low cost initial screening tool using the initial loss of smell as an indicator that needs to be carried out along with other confirmatory protocols. This will initially identify a large pool of asymptomatic carriers from the population and massively reduce the cost of diagnosis. |
Outcome/Output: | The current approach largely depends on RT-PCR/ rapid antigen tests that require expert personnel resulting in higher costs and reduced testing frequency. Although, loss of smell is reported as a major symptom of COVID-19, a precise olfactory testing tool to identify COVID-19 patient is still lacking. To quantitatively check for the loss of smell, this project developed an odour strip, ‘COVID-anosmia checker’, spotted with gradients of coffee and lemon grass oil. The kit was validated its efficiency in healthy and COVID-19 positive subjects. |
Organizations involved
Implementing Agency : | Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram Funding Agency :Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India | |