ICMR study says gargled water can be used for COVID-19 sample collection

A new study published by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that gargled water can be used as a feasible alternative to collect samples for testing of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 inste of swabs. With two primary objectives being identifying receptiveness of people and assess effectiveness of both available methods, researchers at ICMR conducted a cross-sectional study at AIIMS hospital in Delhi from May to June on at least 50 COVID-19 patients. 

study ted that it still remains unclear if risk of aerosol generation, which les to coughing and sneezing, is higher or less than swab collection. However, preliminary results have shown that gargle lav can be used to collect samples for testing of vel coronavirus. 

"To minimize risk of transmission due to aerosols and to maximize benefits of this method of collection, it would be best to employ it for home collection. Furrmore, it cant be used in patients who are critically ill as well as in young children/patients who may t be able to follow instructions/perform gargle," it said.

study ded, “Preliminary results of study show that gargle lav may be a viable alternative to swabs for sample collection for detection of SARS-CoV-2”.

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How will it enhance COVID-19 testing?

According to ICMR research, option of gargle lav method can have a huge impact on COVID-19 testing of nation because it is easy, can be self-collected and later submitted to health professions. This would furr le to freeing of professionals from testing to move on to or essential tasks in battle against COVID-19 pandemic. Furrmore, gargle lav method would even be cheaper as compared to swab collection. 

study concluded after collecting at least 50 samples of coronavirus positive patients that gargle lav method showed promising results irrespective of symptoms and duration of illness. Moreover, while 72 per cent of patients reported moderate to severe discomfort in swab collection, only 24 per cent voiced mild discomfort in gargle collection.

study elaborated, “option of gargle lav for sample collection will have a significant impact as it will enable easy self-collection, relieve healthcare workers and also le to substantial cost savings by reducing need for swabs and personal protective equipment”.

“ cycle threshold (C ) values for gargle samples were slightly higher but comparable to those of swabs. majority (72%) of patients reported moderate to severe discomfort with swab collection in comparison to 24 per cent reporting only mild discomfort with gargle collection," it ded.

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