STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: A positive result on RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction)test cannot be the true determinant of a COVID-19 infection. This is the finding of a new study conducted by experts from the Assam Medical College & Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh and the Lahowal-based Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC).
DrGayatriGogoi, an Assistant Professor of Pathology at AMCH who was closely associated with the study told The Sentinel that unless the virus leads to the production of antibody and immunity, it cannot be called a definitive case of COVID infection.
The finding came when experts from the AMCH and RMRC investigated suspected cases of COVID re-infection among eight Healthcare workers in Dibrugarh district. The study found that the eight Healthcare workers in their first virus infection were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. But the second episode of infection was marginally more and also clinically severe than the first.
The study report recently sent to the 'Indian Journal of Pathology and Oncology' for publication, has mentioned that the frontline Healthcare workers have more than threefold higher risk of COVID infection than the general community. Therefore, experts have suggested routine surveillance and monitoring of COVID status among the Healthcare workers engaged in frontline COVID-19 duty should be part of the safety protocols till vaccination of such workers is undertaken.
DrGogoi said that whenever a person tests positive for the first time, an antibody test should be conducted. "Such a test helps us to determine whether a recovered patient developed immunity or not. The follow-up tests are very important for the Healthcare workers who are frequently exposed to the virus," she said.
The AMCH-RMRC study has become more relevant following the latest cases of COVID-19 re-infections reported in Delhi, forcing many to question as to how long antibodies remain effective in human bodies to fight the Corona virus.
DrMonditaBorgohain and Anup Das from AMCH and BiswajyotiBorkatoky and Mandakini Das from RMRC along with DrGayatriGogoi conducted the study.
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