Methods to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid mutations on antigen detection by rapid diagnostic tests.

ABSTRACT: Mutations in the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 may interfere with antigen detection by diagnostic tests. We used several methods to evaluate the effect of various SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid mutations on the performance of the Panbio™ and BinaxNOW™ lateral flow rapid antigen tests and a prototype high-throughput immunoassay that utilizes Panbio antibodies. Variant detection was also evaluated by immunoblot and BIAcore™ assay. A panel of 23 recombinant nucleocapsid antigens (rAgs) were produced that included mutations found in circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including variants of concern. All mutant rAgs were detected by all assays, at a sensitivity equivalent to wild-type control (Wuhan strain). Thus, using a rAg approach, we found that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid mutations examined do not direc

SUBMITTER: Tieman BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9407365 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature