By Eyal Avidov
Serological tests will be examined during a joint study by the Corps of Medicine and the University of Tel Aviv to learn about Corona morbidity in the IDF, identify servants exposed to the virus, and those who have developed antibodies and possibly even virus resistance and evaluate for the next outbreak.
Prof. Moti Gerlitz and Prof. Ariel Monitz, from the Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology at the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, began a study on Thursday that examines antibody and immune resistance against the coronavirus among IDF servants. It is to assess the outbreak rates in the army, to ensure the operational competence of the various units and to help the IDF prepare for the next wave of outbreak.
Prof. Monitz and Prof. Gerlitz note that so far, the corona tests have focused mainly on the genomic detection of the virus by means of the RT-PCR reaction carried out by the marker. The efficiency of this test, which takes an average of 5 to 6 hours, is limited and allows Patients in a very small window of time to have the presence of the respiratory virus.
Also, the RT-PCR test is considered to be least effective when considering morbidity trends across the general population.
The serological examination performed by Prof. Gerlitz and Prof. Monitz in the framework of the IDF research was developed in their research laboratory at Tel Aviv University in collaboration with the Israel Biological Industries Company Beit Haemek. The test is quick, specific, and sensitive, and is currently being evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval on their behalf. Based on previous studies, the serological examination allows identifying the infected population that does not develop disease markers (the asymptomatic), as well as the population that has been exposed to the virus in the past.
The test is similar in nature to normal blood tests and within an hour a reliable and accurate answer can be obtained, which in fact doubles the rate of the tests relative to PCR tests. The test provides an “overview” of the various population trends in the general population and the IDF in particular. In addition, this test also allows antibodies to be identified for months after exposure to the virus and the development of the disease symptoms.
Prof. Monitz and Prof. Gerlitz emphasize that the research collaboration with the IDF will allow mass screening and an indication as to those soldiers infected with the disease (symptomatic and asymptomatic) and developed antibodies against the virus while identifying those soldiers who have not been infected and infected. In the next wave of the eruption.
Speaking from the Army Medical Examiner, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Eric Forer: “This study allows to examine an important and significant tool in the fight against the corona epidemic. The antibody tests examined in this study may shed light on the extent of IDF morbidity and help prepare the IDF and the medical corps for another epidemic. Research collaborations with researchers at the forefront of scientific practice allow the medical corps to be a leading health organization and examine the use of the most advanced means to care for the welfare of the IDF and their health.
(Source: https://www.hayadan.org.il)
About author
Eyal Avidov-Lt. Col. (Ret.)
Contributing, Representative of News247WorldPress in Israel
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