What tests are used to detect Omicron?
RT PCR Test and DNA Sequencing Test are used to detect Omicron. Nasal Swabs and Oral Swabs collected from the suspected patient and Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests will be done. Which can show if the variant causing the infection looks like Omicron, Delta or something else.
If the RT PCR test results comes as positive and it shows 'S' Gene negative then those samples are referred to DNA Sequencing for conforming the omicron variant.
Dual RT-PCR test to detect Omicron variant at low price:
The Union health ministry (Central Government) has suggested / advised all the states to adopt a dual RT-PCR testing strategy ahead of genome sequencing of Covid positive samples for Omicron variant detection.
With this new idea, suspected patients throat and nasal swab samples collected in the Viral transport medium (VTM) / Molecular Transport medium (MTM) will be tested using a standard COVID RT-PCR kit and if that sample detected positive, the same sample will go for second test with an RT-PCR kit having an S-gene as the target gene. Lab need to check whether 'S-Gene' Positive or Negative.
Only those samples showing S-gene dropout (S-Gene Negative) will go for genome sequencing for Omicron. This will also help in picking up the highly probable Omicron variant cases and save money and resources.
But not all "S-gene dropouts" will necessarily be Omicron - Full genomic sequencing is needed to conform Omicron variant.
What's the difference between Omicron and other variants? The Omicron variant has lots of different mutations compared with the normal COVID-19 virus, that haven't been seen before in any other variants. A large number of mutation are on the spike protein of the COVID virus, which is the target of most vaccines, and that's the main concern of the fear.
Which lab is testing omicron variant in Madurai, Tamil Nadu? What is the Price?
Agam Diagnostics doing the Omicron RTPCR testing. Results available at the 4-6hrs turn around time.
Price Rs.1500/-
For the Omicron COVID variant detection agam diagnostics using dual RT PCR method. If the S-Gene drop in the positive samples (Positive sample conformed by other target gene such us RDRP and N Gene. we inform these samples as suspected Omicron infected patient and we refer those samples to State Health department, Tamil Nadu for the further testing by Genome Sequencing (DNA Sequencing)
Agam Diagnostics, Tamil Nadu - Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore all the branches Omicron RTPCR testing is available.
For More details: +91-8940 8940 79.
