Digital PCR assay for the effective detection of COVID-19 patients with SARS-CoV-2 low viral load.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Viral nucleic acid detection by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the current standard method for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, due to low viral load in some COVID-19 patients, false negative results from this method have been repeatedly reported.

Method

In this study, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of digital PCR (dPCR) in simulated samples and clinical samples with qPCR assay through a series of vigorous tests.

Results

The results showed that dPCR was more sensitive than qPCR especially for samples with low viral load (≤3 copies). In addition, dPCR had similar specificity as qPCR and could effectively distinguish other human coronaviruses and influenza virus from SARS-CoV-2. More importantly, dPC

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8149472 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature