Diagnostic usefulness of subgenomic RNA detection of viable SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The development of a rapid diagnostic test for viable SARS-CoV-2 is important for infection control. Real-time RT-PCR assays detect non-viable virus, and cell culture differentiates viable virus but it takes several weeks and is labour-intensive. Subgenomic RNAs may reflect replication-competent virus. We therefore evaluated the usefulness of subgenomic RNAs for diagnosing viable SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Patients with various severities of confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled at a tertiary hospital between February and December 2020. RT-PCR assay results for genomic and subgenomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swab, sputum and saliva specimens were compared with cell culture results.

Results

A total 189 specimens from 20 COVID-19 pa

SUBMITTER: Kim JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8360988 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature