The test will identify patient’s need for ventilation or ICU facilities and help reduce stress on healthcare resources
Metropolis Healthcare Ltd has announced the launch of a simple blood test that will be able to identify the risk status of a hospitalized COVID-19 patient.
CoviRisk – TBNK (IVD approved Flow Cytometry-based lymphocyte subset assay, that estimates T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) cells besides the CD4 and CD8 subpopulations of T-cells in peripheral blood) for cell- mediated response to SARS CoV2 test can assist clinicians to identify severity and prognosis, in triaging of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and helps to determine if a patient might require IMV (Intubation with Mechanical Ventilation) and ICU facility. It is available in India for INR 4500 and the TAT is within 6 hours of receiving the sample.
In individuals with severe clinical courses, the disease often manifests in two waves. In the first, the patient has typical clinical symptoms of respiratory tract infection, and after 8–12 days, the second wave starts with sudden worsening of respiratory status. Diffuse ground-glass opacities on CT, lymphopenia, elevated D-dimer levels, and prolonged prothrombin time are common laboratory abnormalities in these critically ill patients. Although documented in all ages, the mortality rate is particularly high among the elderly & those with pre-existing co-morbidities (such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic lung disease). Increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been documented in severely infected individuals.
Speaking about the test launch, Ameera Shah, Promoter & Managing Director of Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. said, “We are glad to launch the CoviRisk TBNK test just in time before the 3rd wave. As no one is aware of the extent of uncertainties India could face, the need of the hour is early recognition of the right course of action for hospitalised COVID-19 patients which can help in making the right treatment choice for patients while prioritizing precious resources.”
Dr. Kirti Chadha, Group Head Medical Affairs at Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. said, “CD4 and CD8 T cells are important for triggering an immune response to bacterial and viral infections. CBC is carried out in patients with infections, while CBC can detect lymphopenia in blood, it cannot measure the specific lymphocyte populations that are impacting the normal immune response. In COVID-19 patients, the CD4 and CD8 T cell counts typically decrease with increasing severity of the disease and can help assess the immune response of COVID-19 patients. CD3+ CD8+ T lymphocytes, CD16+ CD56+ NK cells, C1q as well as IL-6 may play critical roles in the inflammatory cytokine storm. The dysregulation of these immune parameters, along with bacterial coinfection are important causes of exacerbation of the patients’ condition and death.”
Dr. Sanjay Gohil, MD (Path) Consultant Pathologist Head of Dept. Haematology & Transplant Immunology (HLA) Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. said, “With the 3rd wave of the pandemic lurking around the corner, we wanted to add this new diagnostic test to help arm our healthcare warriors. This test could provide the much-needed assurance to the patients and will help reduce the stress on our healthcare infrastructure as well as medical professionals by helping them identify the level of risk and accordingly take the next steps.”
Multiple studies and evidence suggest that Flow Cytometry data can be used to explore the role of T-Cell subtypes as a surrogate biomarker to risk, disease severity, and clinical outcomes for patients suffering from COVID-19. CoviRisk TBNK by Flowcytometry can be one of such biomarkers.