What are they?
The Swabs are molecular diagnostic tests that detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the mucus collected with an oro-pharyngeal swab, and are therefore able to ascertain the presence of the ongoing infection at the time of the test.
The test is practically non-invasive and is performed in a few seconds, however, in order to have a reliable result it is necessary that a precise protocol of sampling is followed, and that the test is performed by specialized personnel equipped with personal protective equipment.
Once extracted from the patient’s mouth, the stick is immersed in a gel, inserted into an ad hoc container and then sent to the authorized laboratory of the MultiMedica Group (the Polo Scientifico Tecnologico of Milan) that will determine the characteristics of the material taken.
Through appropriate molecular tests (Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) the polymerase chain reaction is performed, developed on the basis of the genetic sequence of the Sars-cov-2 virus isolated by researchers, to identify its presence in the oropharynx.