The test would identify the disease-causing bacteria in a matter of minutes so that targeted treatment can be begun.

Rheumatic fever, which generally affects children between the ages of five to 15, starts with a sore throat, which if left untreated can prove to be dangerous.

Prof G Singh Chhatwal, Director of the Division of Microbiology, Helmholtzv Centre for Infection Research in Germany, said at a press meet at the PGI today that it took them 20 years to find the suitable test, which could also be easily replicated in developing countries.

Scientists from the PGI in Chandigarh, AIIMS in New Delhi, CMC in Vellore, University of St Andrews in Scotland and Karolinska Institute in Sweden also contributed to the study.

Prof Chhatwal said it would take another two to three years of clinical trials before the test is declared a regular diagnostic tool for practitioners.

“Rheumatic heart fever affects as many as 6 million children in India, which is why the study assumes relevance here. The test would help doctors easily distinguish a harmless bacterial infection from a more dangerous streptococcus infection and specifically target the ailment. It would be simple swap test and may cost less than Rs 50,” he added.

Doctors so far, in the absence of any specific test, have been treating all suspect cases with antibiotics.