Optimization and application of digital droplet PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva specimen using commercially available kit.

ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant global health crisis, causing hundreds of millions of cases and millions of deaths. Despite being declared endemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection continues to pose a significant risk, particularly for immunocompromised individuals, highlighting the need for a more sensitive and specific detection. Reverse transcription digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR) possesses a sensitive and absolute quantification compared to the gold standard. This study is the first to optimize RT-ddPCR for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva specimens using a commercially available RT-qPCR kit. Optimization involved the assessment of the RT-ddPCR reaction mixture, annealing temperature adjustments, and validation using 40 stored saliva specimens.

SUBMITTER: Kaisar MMM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11444740 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature