Multiplex Assays Enable Simultaneous Detection and Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in Clinical and Wastewater Samples.

ABSTRACT: The targeted screening and sequencing approaches for COVID-19 surveillance need to be adjusted to fit the evolving surveillance objectives which necessarily change over time. We present the development of variant screening assays that can be applied to new targets in a timely manner and enable multiplexing of targets for efficient implementation in the laboratory. By targeting the HV69/70 deletion for Alpha, K417N for Beta, K417T for Gamma, and HV69/70 deletion plus K417N for sub-variants BA.1, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5 of Omicron, we achieved simultaneous detection and differentiation of Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omicron in a single assay. Targeting both T478K and P681R mutations enabled specific detection of the Delta variant. The multiplex assays used in combination, targeting K417N and T478K,

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10152402 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature