Advancing COVID-19 diagnostics: rapid detection of intact SARS-CoV-2 using viability RT-PCR assay.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Commonly used methods for both clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and management of infected patients involve the detection of viral RNA, but the presence of infectious virus particles is unknown. Viability PCR (v-PCR) uses a photoreactive dye to bind non-infectious RNA, ideally resulting in the detection of RNA only from intact virions. This study aimed to develop and validate a rapid v-PCR assay for distinguishing intact and compromised SARS-CoV-2. Propidium monoazide (PMAxx) was used as a photoreactive dye. Mixtures with decreasing percentages of intact SARS-CoV-2 (from 100% to 0%) were prepared from SARS-CoV-2 virus stock and a clinical sample. Each sample was divided into a

SUBMITTER: Veugen JMJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11370235 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature