This is how lollipops can help in diagnostic testing, know procedure
Lollipops are reward for kids: A lollipop may be a pleasant reward for a child who has made it through a visit to the doctor's office, but this sweet delicacy may now make diagnostic testing during a visit less intrusive and more enjoyable.
Researchers found that a lollipop-based saliva collection system can capture bacteria from adults and remain shelf-stable for up to a year. Participants in the study also preferred candies over traditional collecting methods.
Also Read: Delhi flash floods: Yamuna’s water level declines at steady pace
Throat swabs are commonly used to collect samples for the diagnosis of a wide variety of illnesses, including strep throat. A less-gag-inducing method is saliva sampling, in which technicians analyze a patient's spit with methods such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Because this type of sample can be collected directly by a patient, the technique is popular for at-home testing and saw expanded use during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gathering the necessary amount of saliva can be somewhat gross, though, which is why some scientists are looking to make the process more enjoyable by combining it with the equally drool-filled, yet much more pleasant, experience of enjoying a lollipop.
At first glance, Candy Collect looks like most lollipops, except for its spoon-like stick with a spiral-shaped groove carved into the top.
This flattened end is covered with isomalt candy, allowing for saliva to easily flow into the groove as the lollipop is eaten. In a past study, the researchers showed in lab tests that the device could capture the bacteria responsible for strep throat.
Now, they wanted to target other, naturally occurring bacteria and see how their system compared to other commercially available, at-home saliva sampling methods with real people.
Researchers sent Candy Collect and two conventional saliva sampling kits to 28 adult volunteers, who used them, answered some survey questions, and then shipped the devices back to the lab.
Also Read: Amritsar: BSF apprehends Pak national for inadvertently entering India border
The devices still produced accurate results after being stored for a year. Although the studies are still ongoing, the team says that this work shows that the system is adaptable and well-liked. The researchers say it could inspire other scientists to develop more intuitive and convenient at-home testing methods.
- ANI
