PETALING JAYA: The Antibody Rapid Test Kit (RTK) for Covid-19 or serological tests that use blood samples from a finger prick cannot be used to diagnose the disease, says the Health Ministry.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic) said this is because the presence of antibodies are unable to validate active infections while negative results are no guarantee that the individual tested is not infected with the disease.
Dr Noor Hisham, however, said that the test can be used to conduct studies of the prevalence of the Covid-19 infection in the community or among target groups, such as the working group.
“This is in line with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendation that RTK antibodies can be used in epidemiological studies.
“There is no solid evidence from scientific studies showing that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection,” he said in a press conference on Monday (May 11).
Several parties had brought up the issue of the use of RTK antibodies at private clinics for the screening of those who were returning to work.
Dr Noor Hisham said that the test to detect the Covid-19 is an antigen-based test through Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) or the RTK Antigen test.
He said both tests require the use of nasal swabs by trained members using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and laboratory equipment such as the Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) when processing samples were taken.
The rRT-PCR detects the presence of Covid-19 in an individual's body by looking at genetic material taken from swabs.
The RTK antibody method is conducted on blood samples but only detects the presence of antibodies to the coronavirus, and not the virus itself.
Antibodies will only show up in the body after seven to 14 days of an individual being exposed to the virus.
A negative result, however, does not mean that an individual has not been infected.
As of Monday (May 11), a total of 6,726 Covid-19 infections were detected in the country, with 109 deaths recorded.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/11/antibody-based-test-kits-cannot-be-used-to-diagnose-covid-19-says-health-dg- PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has advised against using the antibody rapid test kit (RTK) to ascertain if a person has been infected with the Covid-19 virus.Health Director-General Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said the RTK is an antibody serological test that requires a drop of blood taken from a finger. He said this method cannot be used to detect the virus.
The RTK antibody test is available at private clinics for those wanting to know if they have been infected before they return to work.
Noor Hisham said yesterday that the issue has been raised by several parties.
He said the only way to detect Covid-19 virus is through an antigen that is done using a process called “Real Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction or simply known as RTK antigen test.
He said both tests require the use of nasopharyngeal swabs taken by trained medical officers who should be wearing personal protective equipment. Laboratory equipment is used to process the samples.
Noor Hisham said RTK antibody serological tests using blood samples from a finger cannot be used to detect the virus.
“This is because the presence of antibodies does not confirm there is an infection, while negative results do not guarantee the individual tested is not infected with Covid-19.”
However, he said the RTK antibody test could be used for conducting a study of the prevalence of Covid-19 infection in a community or target group such as a working group.
- https://www.thesundaily.my/local/antibody-rapid-test-cannot-detect-virus-LM2394379
- PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) does not recommend the use of the Antibody Rapid Test Kit (RTK) by workers who are required to undergo the Covid-19 test before they return to work.
The valid tests to detect Covid-19 virus is based on antigen through Real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) or RTK Antigen test, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) today.
He said both tests (rPT-PCR and RTK Antigent) require Nasopharyngeal (NPS) Swabs by trained medical officers who are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hisham pointed out that RTK Antibody serological tests by using blood samples from the finger prick cannot be used to detect the virus.
“This is because the presence of antibodies does not confirm the current infection and a negative result does not guarantee that the individual being tested is not infected with Covid-19,“ he said.
However, he said the RTK could be used for conducting a study of the prevalence of Covid-19 infection in a community or target group such as a working group.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation will only accept the ‘Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction’ (RT-PCR) method for Covid-19 screening under its Program Saringan Prihatin (PSP) initiative and not the ‘Rapid Test Kit (RTK) Antibody’ methodology.
Socso said it was taking this measure based on the latest guidelines from the Health Ministry (KKM) on Covid-19 screening which only recognises RT-PCR as the methodology and the National Security Council’s decision on the same matter.
“Socso views the recommendation on the Covid-19 screening methodology for workers at high risk very seriously, The screening tests will be undertaken by the existing service providers and also others who will be appointed to enable more efficient delivery.
“This screening is compulsory for foreign workers in the construction sector or those working in red zones only,” Socso said in a statement here today.
Prior to this, Socso had announced that under its PSP initiative on testing for Covid-19 on workers of companies operating during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period would entail two phases namely RT-PCR followed by the RTK Antibody.
Socso will be providing more information at its Portal Prihatin Perkeso at https://prihatin.perkeso.gov.my. -Bernama
