Results conform to ICMR norms Saliva-based rapid antigen test (RAT) could be effective, faster and economical in the diagnosis of COVID-19, a study has found. Chennai Dental Research Foundation (CDRF), Voluntary Health Services (VHS) and Ragas Dental College and Hospital conducted the study. The results achieved the minimum standards set by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It recorded a sensitivity of 56% as against the 50% required by ICMR and specificity of 100%, compared with 95% set by ICMR, according to a release. Gunaseelan Rajan, president of CDRF, said the biggest advantage of RAT was that it was faster than RT-PCR test. “It is safe. One can take up a self-test at home or office. Our research has shown that using saliva for RAT was rapid and effective. It could be utilised for mass screening, rapid screening, and by dentists and ENT doctors as it can detect the virus in 10 minutes,” he said. He said they had written about the findings to the Centre, while the results were accepted for publication in an international journal “Oral Diseases” in February 2021.