Labs’ variant testing capacity shows promise

At least two local medical laboratories in Jamaica have the capacity to conduct genome sequencing to detect variants of the coronavirus and could significantly improve the Government’s ability to speedily obtain test results on different strains, even as mutations continue to emerge globally.

One lab has been actively trying to secure specialised master test kits for tracking the Delta variant but supply shortages have thwarted its efforts.

With the confirmation of the Delta strain locally and rising numbers of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisations, there is mounting concern over the country’s ability to expeditiously test and report on samples.

The concern also comes as doctors note increased severity of infections and “a faster deterioration” of patients locally.

CARIGEN, a 16-year-old outfit with Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) approval, is steeped in molecular analysis, including human DNA identification, plant genetics, and molecular diagnostics.

“We have had that [capability] for about 16 years now. We have the main equipment but we haven’t been able to get the special test kits,” Professor Wayne McLaughlin, head of the company and deputy dean in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The University of the West Indies, Mona, told The Gleaner.

“So as long as we get the kits, we would be able to do it,” he said, referencing the inability to source test kits from his main supplier in the United States since February.

With its newly minted accreditation from the MOHW to conduct both antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and on the heels of a $70-million investment to set up PCR testing equipment, LRI Medical Laboratory (LRI) is readying itself to actively aid in Jamaica’s fight against the pandemic.

“What we are finding is that the virus is mutating based on the demographic of the population. Suppose we have a mutation that is specific to Jamaica, what do we do?” head of LRI and the first female professor of biochemistry and sport Science at The UWI, Rachel Irving, said.

“We have the capability to do it (test for variants) and we should be doing our own sequencing so that if ever there is any sort of mutation that is particular to Jamaica, we can immediately cauterise it before it devastates our population.”

The UWI scientists explained that facilities that have the capability to conduct PCR tests similarly have the capacity to test for COVID-19 variants. Where it gets tricky, however, is having the staff with the technical know-how, said Irving, adding that those skill sets are not easily found locally.

Genome sequencing equipment is being acquired because of the length of time it takes for Jamaica to receive the results from test samples sent overseas to determine coronavirus variant profiles.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Thursday, head of the National Public Health Laboratory, Dr Michelle Hamilton, said the equipment should be in the island by the end of 2021.

In the interim, the MOHW has arranged for the Pan American Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency to test the samples for any mutations that would pose a concern.

Jamaica confirmed the presence of the Delta variant last week, just over month after sending samples to CARPHA for testing. Twenty-two samples returned positive for the Delta variant, with carriers spread across seven parishes.

Continuing to rely on overseas entities may prove challenging, Irving warned, as sites such as CARPHA are bombarded with requests.

“CARPHA is packed up because they are getting requests from all over the Caribbean. We should know our demographic and know how to sequence this thing and cauterise it in specific areas,” she said.

tameka.gordon@gleanerjm.com