The first diagnostic test for long COVID is now available to patients across Australia. The test can help physicians diagnose long COVID by differentiating it from other diseases with similar symptoms, and to design personalized treatment approaches for patients. Persistent COVID, or long COVID, is a multiorgan symptomatic complex with symptoms persisting over time.
How effective is the diagnostic test?
It affects patients who suffered from acute COVID-19. It is estimated by the US Centers for Disease Control that about 20 – 30% of patients who have suffered from COVID-19 may develop long COVID. Symptoms of long COVID, such as fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, insomnia, and a range of cardiovascular issues, are not unique to one condition.
A diagnostic test to identify patients with long COVID, using objective measures of immune biomarkers, is an essential first step for treatment. The simple blood-based test was developed by diagnostic testing company IGeneX using IncellDx’s incellKINE assay.
incellKINE is a machine learning-based tech that is able to assess the presence of a distinctive immunologic profile characterized by patterns of cytokine and chemokine biomarkers found to be unique to long COVID patients, as reported in Frontiers in Immunology.
The test provides 97% sensitivity. It received CE-IVD marking in Europe in 2022, which indicates that it fulfills the requirements of relevant European product directives and meets all the requirements of the recognized European harmonized performance and safety standards.
How can Aussies access the diagnostic test kit?
Provider of private medical laboratory and pathology services, Healius Pathology, was tapped to facilitate patient sample collections at 22 collection centers across Australia including:
- Beecroft, NSW
- Roselands, NSW
- Carina, QLD
- Cleveland, QLD
- Arana Hills, QLD
- Mount Gravatt, QLD
- Balaclava, VIC
- Camberwell, VIC
- Surrey Hills, VIC
- Heidelberg, VIC
- Tullamarine, VIC
- Melbourne, VIC
- Point Cook, VIC
- Hobart, TAS
- Launceston, TAS
- Jandakot, WA
- Myaree, WA
- Joondalup, WA
- Midland, WA
- Duncraig, WA
For more information or to register for a test, visit this page.
