According to the government, new screening tests, especially saliva, are being developed. If their effectiveness is demonstrated, by a reliability similar to RT-PCR tests and if the health authorities give their approval, these tests will be placed on the market. In the meantime, a Toulouse company offers saliva tests to be performed yourself at home.
What does the saliva test consist of?
A start-up, Axiotis, specializing in DNA analysis, has developed a saliva test to detect Covid-19. The test is based on the use of an FTA card, already used by forensic scientists. Its principle is to fix and “stabilize DNA and RNA” in the fibers of this card. According to the innovative company, the samples are stable for several weeks. This type of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, called PCR-Covid-19 is less invasive and “as reliable” than RT-PCR tests, with “100% homology with people who test positive by nasolabial swab -pharyngeal ”.
What does the screening kit contain?
The kit contains the instructions for taking the sample, a 1.5 ml tube for collecting saliva, a pipette for depositing saliva on the card and the FTA card. An envelope is included in the kit to return the test to Axiotis. Sending by post is safe, according to the laboratory, because the virus becomes inactive, once deposited on the intended medium.
Perform the test at home
Everyone can get the saliva test, for the sum of 48 € in total. Indeed, it is not reimbursed by social security. Once the order has been placed, the test is sent within 24 hours. All you have to do is put a drop of saliva on the FTA card and then return it to the laboratory. Once the analysis has been carried out on their premises, respecting the official protocol, the result is immediately communicated by e-mail.
Some precautions
You should know that this test has been validated internally. It is regulated, but not yet officially approved. Axiotis hopes to forge partnerships with laboratories with greater capacities, in order to validate their “technique at national level and allow the commercialization of our test on a larger scale.”
