Scientists developed methods for rapid testing of influenza viruses

Russian experts have developed a new method of testing influenza viruses in a minute. Thus, patients can be treated faster and more effectively.

>>>The difference between flu and cold

The diagnostic method of influenza viruses developed by experts is capable of becoming a mass technology.

The new method developed by a team of scientists from the Clinical Testing Center in Novosibirsk (the largest scientific city in Siberia region) is essential this season. When the weather changes in the cold season, it is an ideal condition for flu viruses to develop, spread, and speed diagnosis of diseases that are very important in the battle with influenza. The new test method works very fast, the speed is comparable to the pregnancy test. But, unlike a pregnancy test that responds to hormonal changes, the influenza virus test responds to the presence of flu virus particles in the patient's sinuses.

Photo: RIA Novosti / Sergey Venyavsky

Experts analyze the composition of secretions from the sinuses. If antibodies are detected, a protein that often appears in mucus to protect the body from viral entry, the test strip changes color. The antigens associated with antibodies have the same reaction.

One of the authors of the new technology, staff of the Clinical Test Center Ivan Sobolev said: "The sample released from the sinuses is placed on a test strip made of porous membranes containing flu antibodies. On the test strips Virus antigens interact with antibodies, and signal a flu - a discolored test strip. "

But, can this method be used against all flu viruses? As is known, there are often new, mutated strains of viruses from the old flu virus. Moreover, there are many types of flu.

Mr. Sobolev further explained that, when you first get sick, you need to answer the most important question - is it caused by the flu virus? Therefore, the authors of this technology have not intended to complicate the diagnostic method depending on the type of influenza strain. The Russian expert said: "Our rapid test method aims to determine the presence of NP-protein , which is virtually unchanged in different viral strains." Scientists believe that the possibility of a new virus strain cannot be determined by the NP protein test method, which only accounts for a very small probability.

Expert Ivan Sobolev concluded, the next time rapid testing of influenza viruses will be widely used.