Fast SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR in preheated nasopharyngeal swab samples.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The gold-standard COVID-19 diagnosis relies on detecting SARS-CoV-2 using RNA purification and one-step retrotranscription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Based on the urgent need for high-throughput screening, we tested the performance of three alternative, simple and affordable protocols to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2, bypassing the long and tedious RNA extraction step and reducing the time to viral detection.

Methods

We evaluated three methods based on direct nasopharyngeal swab viral transmission medium (VTM) heating before the RT-qPCR: a) direct without additives; b) in a formamide-EDTA (FAE) buffer, c) in a RNAsnap^TM buffer.

Results

Although with a delay in cycle threshold compared to the gold-standard, we found consistent results in nasophar

SUBMITTER: Alcoba-Florez J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7833505 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature