Testing directly at the point of care with valid results like from the lab

The novel SARS virus, — first detected at the end of 2019 — has kept the world on tenterhooks ever since. Its rapid spread from China across the entire globe poses a major challenge to societies and health systems with yet unforeseeable consequences. To date, we can count more than 100 virus infections with more than 2 million people having died because of such infection worldwide. Public life is still severely curtailed in many parts of the world with shutdowns effecting the economy not only of those areas.

As with any virus, testing and vaccination are the most effective strategies for containment and hope for a return to ​“normal” everyday life. 

Bosch Healthcare Solutions launched a first test for the detection of SARS-CoV‑2 for its state-of-the-art PCR diagnostic system Vivalytic, as early as spring 2020. Since then, the test spectrum has been continuously optimised and expanded. At present, we offer three test variations to identify the virus. 

The highly modern and flexible system is hence not only used in the classic healthcare sector, but also by many companies to protect employees and production. 

SARS-CoV‑2 SINGLE: Detection of SARS-CoV‑2 in max. 39 minutes

The Vivalytic rapid test ​“SARS-CoV‑2” delivers valid results on a corona infection directly at the point-of-care after only 39 minutes — and this already shortly after an infection or before the first symptoms appear.

This test variant is therefore particularly suitable if you want to detect or exclude the infection of an individual person or when corresponding symptoms appear and you seek clarity. 

Thanks to the latest development of the Vivalytic operating software, a test result can be available in less than 30 minutes in the case of positive findings.

The proven, standardised test procedure thus delivers the fastest real-time PCR results to date from nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs with a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 100%.

The low TTR (= ​“Time to Result”) allows a daily test volume of at least 35 cassettes per Vivalytic unit.

SARS-CoV‑2 pooling: Simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV‑2 from up to 5 samples (in max. 45 minutes)

The Vivalytic SARS-CoV‑2 Pooling Cartridge is a validated further development of the Vivalytic SARS-CoV‑2 Single Test. This modified version of the SARS-CoV‑2 test allows the simultaneous processing of up to 5 patient samples with identical reliability compared to the SARS-CoV Single Test. Pooling of samples is particularly suitable for screening larger groups of people who do not yet have typical symptoms and the expected number of infections is low. A positive test result requires individual retesting using the SARS-CoV‑2 Single Test.

By using the pooling cartridge, the daily test volume per Vivalytic unit can be increased to at least 160 tests.

VRI Mutiplex Test: Syndromic testing in less than 2.5 hours

Bosch Healthcare Solutions is now planning to complete its range of test variants for the detection of SARS-CoV‑2 with the VRI test (Viral Respiratory Tract Infections).

This multiplex assay tests the patient sample for the SARS-CoV‑2 virus as well as for other relevant viral respiratory tract infections with similar symptoms. With the Vivalytic VRI test, doctors can quickly and efficiently differentiate between the various infections, such as the different types of influenza, and immediately initiate the right treatment. The test delivers a reliable result in less than 2.5 hours according to WHO guidelines at the point-of-care, i.e. in the immediate vicinity of the patient’s sample collection. A time-consuming logistics chain, where the samples have to be transported, is therefore not necessary.