Desarrollo de métodos para el diagnóstico molecular del virus SARS-CoV-2 mediante PCR en Tiempo Real

CHOUHY D

Congreso; Congreso conjunto SAIB/SAMIGE (virtual); 2020

The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) ranges from mild with few or no symptoms to pneumonia and death in the most severe illness. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These nonspecific symptoms are shared by many other common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract caused by bacteria and viruses, most of which are self-limited but can also progress to serious conditions. Among these, the most relevant agent is the Influenza virus (FluA and FluB), whose infection is generally characterized by fever, myalgia, headache and non-productive cough, which can also cause complications with a high rate of morbidity and mortality, such as pneumonia, myocarditis, central nervous system disease, and death. DETx MOL SA is a diagnostic technology development company with the vision of promoting the growth of the country and the diagnostic sector through the development of technologies that improve access to high quality molecular diagnostic methods in different laboratories distributed throughout Argentina and other Latin American countries.We have developed, validated and registered in ANMAT a kit based on the RT-qPCR technique (TaqMan®) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus and an endogenous control in 2 detection channels. For the registration, production and marketing of this kit we have established a strategic alliance with the company Wiener Laboratorios.Furthermore, we are in the process of developing a second kit based on the RT-qPCR technique (TaqMan®) for the 4-channel detection of SARS-CoV-2, FluA, FluB and an endogenous control. The development of a kit that can determine in a single test the main viral causative agents of serious acute respiratory diseases will be of great relevance not only for Argentina but also for the rest of the countries.From DETx MOL we propose to develop high quality products at competitive prices, replacing imports of kits developed and produced in other countries. We deeply believe that Argentina has the capabilities to be sovereign in critical public health issues, specifically in the molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases.