27.04.2020 change 27.04.2020

Poznan Scientists Develop World's First Coronavirus Susceptibility Test

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The world's first SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection test which can predict more severe courses of the disease could be ready as soon as next week.

Scientists at the DNA Research Center in Poznań are working on the project designed to detect genetically determined higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and more severe course of Covid-19.

Jacek Wojciechowicz, President and R&D Director at the DNA Research Center in Poznań said: “This is the first such genetic test in the world.

“It will make it possible to detect greater susceptibility and possible more severe courses of the disease, determine which people may require hospitalisation and have a worse prognosis. This should help doctors diagnose and treat the disease.”

The variability of human genes affect the functioning of our immune system, which can cause significant differences in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in different countries. Therefore, scientists propose combining tests for the presence of coronavirus with HLA typing (used to determine tissue compatibility). On this basis, they say, it is possible to tell who is more exposed to severe course of COVID-19 infection, and who is definitely less susceptible.

Wojciechowicz said: "Specific mutations were detected by examining patients with Covid-19 who had a more severe course of the disease. Research in this area was conducted in China and the United States. We combine all scientific reports on this subject in one test.”

To perform the test patients are given a cheek swab and the results will be available after two days.

Wojciechowicz said: "This genetic test will be implemented in the next few days, in the next or the following week. We expect it to be of great importance when deciding on the procedure undertaken by medical services during the treatment of patients. Doctors will have information about the current stage of infection. They will be able to make hospitalisation decisions at an early stage of the disease.”

He added that after the COVID-19 vaccine has been implemented, genetically tested people with confirmed high-risk HLA types should be the first to receive it and that “the knowledge we will have from these tests will significantly reduce COVID-19 mortality.”

The DNA Research Center in Poznań has been developing new genetic tests for 14 years. A few years ago, its researchers developed a 'comprehensive test for all cancers'.

All genetic tests are based on the same technology: the sequencing of selected DNA fragments. It does not matter whether it is cancer or susceptibility to coronavirus infection, Wojciechowicz added. (PAP)

Author: Zbigniew Wojtasiński

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