scholarly journals Fast SARS-CoV-2 detection protocol based on RNA precipitation and RT-qPCR in nasopharyngeal swab samples

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Xabier Guruceaga ◽  
Amanda Sierra ◽  
Daniel Marino ◽  
Izortze Santin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Extraction Step ◽  
Simple Protocol ◽  
One Step ◽  
Commercial Kits

ABSTRACTThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has evolved far more aggressively in countries lacking a robust testing strategy to identify infected individuals. Given the global demand for fast and reliable diagnosis to determine the carrier individuals, a stock-out scenario for a number of essential reagents/kits used along the diagnostic process has been foreseen by many organizations. Having identified the RNA extraction step as one of the key bottlenecks, we tested several alternatives that avoid the use of commercial kits for this step. The analysis showed that 2-propanol precipitation of the viral RNA, followed by one-step RT-qPCR results in a sensitivity and specificity comparable to that provided currently by automatized systems such as the COBAS 6800 system. Therefore, this simple protocol allows SARS-CoV-2 testing independently of commercial kit providers in a time and cost-effective manner. It can be readily implemented in research and/or diagnostic laboratories worldwide, provided that patient confidentiality and researcher safety are ensured. Scaling up the testing capabilities of hospitals and research facilities will identify larger numbers of infected individuals to paint a clear picture of the COVID-19 prevalence, a pre-requisite for informed policy decision making.

scholarly journals Extraction-free protocol combining proteinase K and heat inactivation for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247792
Author(s):  
Valeria Genoud ◽  
Martin Stortz ◽  
Ariel Waisman ◽  
Bruno G. Berardino ◽  
Paula Verneri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Heat Inactivation ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Extraction Step ◽  
Commercial Kits ◽  
Inexpensive Procedure

Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold-standard technique for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in nasopharyngeal swabs specimens. The analysis by RT-qPCR usually requires a previous extraction step to obtain the purified viral RNA. Unfortunately, RNA extraction constitutes a bottleneck for early detection in many countries since it is expensive, time-consuming and depends on the availability of commercial kits. Here, we describe an extraction-free protocol for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR from nasopharyngeal swab clinical samples in saline solution. The method includes a treatment with proteinase K followed by heat inactivation (PK+HID method). We demonstrate that PK+HID improves the RT-qPCR performance in comparison to the heat-inactivation procedure. Moreover, we show that this extraction-free protocol can be combined with a variety of multiplexing RT-qPCR kits. The method combined with a multiplexing detection kit targeting N and ORF1ab viral genes showed a sensitivity of 0.99 and a specificity of 0.99 from the analysis of 106 positive and 106 negative clinical samples. In conclusion, PK+HID is a robust, fast and inexpensive procedure for extraction-free RT-qPCR determinations of SARS-CoV-2. The National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices of Argentina has recently authorized the use of this method.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of different RT-qPCR solutions for SARS-CoV-2 detection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Alcoba-Florez ◽  
Helena Gil-Campesino ◽  
Diego García-Martínez de Artola ◽  
Rafaela González-Montelongo ◽  
Agustín Valenzuela-Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
False Negative ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
False Negatives ◽  
Diagnostic Screening ◽  
Extraction Step ◽  
Wide Variability ◽  
One Step ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues imposing a demand for diagnostic screening. In anticipation that the recurrence of outbreaks and the measures for lifting the lockdown worldwide may cause supply chain issues over the coming months, we assessed the sensitivity of a number of one-step retrotranscription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) solutions to detect SARS-CoV-2.MethodsWe evaluated six different RT-qPCR alternatives for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 diagnosis based on standard RNA extractions. That of best sensitivity was also assessed with direct nasopharyngeal swab viral transmission medium (VTM) heating, overcoming the RNA extraction step.ResultsWe found a wide variability in the sensitivity of RT-qPCR solutions that associated with a range of false negatives from as low as 2% (0.3-7.9%) to as much as 39.8% (30.2-50.2). Direct preheating of VTM combined with the best solution provided a sensitivity of 72.5% (62.5-81.0), in the range of some of the solutions based on standard RNA extractions.ConclusionsWe evidenced sensitivity limitations of currently used RT-qPCR solutions. Our results will help to calibrate the impact of false negative diagnoses of COVID-19, and to detect and control new SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and community transmissions.

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Alcoba-Florez ◽  
Rafaela González-Montelongo ◽  
Antonio Íñigo-Campos ◽  
Diego García-Martínez de Artola ◽  
Helena Gil-Campesino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Average Increase ◽  
Extraction Step ◽  
One Step ◽  
Standard Tests

AbstractThe current reference for COVID-19 diagnosis is based on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 on RNA extracts using one-step retrotranscription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Based on the urgent need for high-throughput COVID-19 screening, we tested the performance of three alternative, simple and affordable protocols to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2, overcoming the long and tedious RNA extraction step. Although with an average increase of 6.1 (± 1.6) cycles compared to standard tests with RNA extracts, we show that RT-qPCR yielded consistent results in nasopharyngeal swab samples that were subject to a direct 70°C incubation for 10 min. Our findings provide viable options to overcome any supply chain issue and help to increase the throughput of diagnostic tests by using any qPCR device, thereby complementing standard COVID-19 testing.

scholarly journals Direct diagnostic testing of SARS-CoV-2 without the need for prior RNA extraction

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Wei ◽  
Esther Kohl ◽  
Alexandre Djandji ◽  
Stephanie Morgan ◽  
Susan Whittier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Percentage Agreement ◽  
Testing Method ◽  
Viral Transport

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an urgent need for a rapid, point of care diagnostic testing that could be rapidly scaled on a worldwide level. We developed and tested a highly sensitive and robust assay based on reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) that uses readily available reagents and a simple heat block using contrived spike-in and actual clinical samples. RT-LAMP testing on RNA-spiked samples showed a limit of detection (LoD) of 2.5 copies/μl of viral transport media. RT-LAMP testing directly on clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples in viral transport media had an 85% positive percentage agreement (PPA) (17/20), and 100% negative percentage agreement (NPV) and delivered results in 30 min. Our optimized RT-LAMP based testing method is a scalable system that is sufficiently sensitive and robust to test for SARS-CoV-2 directly on clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples in viral transport media in 30 min at the point of care without the need for specialized or proprietary equipment or reagents. This cost-effective and efficient one-step testing method can be readily available for COVID-19 testing world-wide, especially in resource poor settings.

scholarly journals Robust Saliva-Based RNA Extraction-Free One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification Test for Mass SARS-CoV-2 Monitoring

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 6617
Author(s):  
Eva Rajh ◽  
Tina Šket ◽  
Arne Praznik ◽  
Petra Sušjan ◽  
Alenka Šmid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Diagnostic Sensitivity ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
One Step

Early diagnosis with rapid detection of the virus plays a key role in preventing the spread of infection and in treating patients effectively. In order to address the need for a straightforward detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection and assessment of viral spread, we developed rapid, sensitive, extraction-free one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. We analyzed over 700 matched pairs of saliva and nasopharyngeal swab (NSB) specimens from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Saliva, as either an oral cavity swab or passive drool, was collected in an RNA stabilization buffer. The stabilized saliva specimens were heat-treated and directly analyzed without RNA extraction. The diagnostic sensitivity of saliva-based RT-qPCR was at least 95% in individuals with subclinical infection and outperformed RT-LAMP, which had at least 70% sensitivity when compared to NSBs analyzed with a clinical RT-qPCR test. The diagnostic sensitivity for passive drool saliva was higher than that of oral cavity swab specimens (95% and 87%, respectively). A rapid, sensitive one-step extraction-free RT-qPCR test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in passive drool saliva is operationally simple and can be easily implemented using existing testing sites, thus allowing high-throughput, rapid, and repeated testing of large populations. Furthermore, saliva testing is adequate to detect individuals in an asymptomatic screening program and can help improve voluntary screening compliance for those individuals averse to various forms of nasal collections.

scholarly journals A simple RNA preparation method for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniela Wozniak ◽  
Ariel Cerda ◽  
Catalina Ibarra-Henríquez ◽  
Valentina Sebastian ◽  
Grace Armijo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Health Decision Making ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
Analytical Step ◽  
Commercial Kits ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract The technique RT-qPCR for viral RNA detection is the current worldwide strategy used for early detection of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. RNA extraction is a key pre-analytical step in RT-qPCR, often achieved using commercial kits. However, the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing disruptions to the global supply chains used by many diagnostic laboratories to procure the commercial kits required for RNA extraction. Shortage in these essential reagents is even more acute in developing countries with no means to produce kits locally. We sought to find an alternative procedure to replace commercial kits using common reagents found in molecular biology laboratories. Here we report a method for RNA extraction that takes about 40 min to complete ten samples, and is not more laborious than current commercial RNA extraction kits. We demonstrate that this method can be used to process nasopharyngeal swab samples and yields RT-qPCR results comparable to those obtained with commercial kits. Most importantly, this procedure can be easily implemented in any molecular diagnostic laboratory. Frequent testing is crucial for individual patient management as well as for public health decision making in this pandemic. Implementation of this method could maintain crucial testing going despite commercial kit shortages.

scholarly journals A simple and rapid method for isolating high-quality RNA from kenaf containing high polysaccharide and polyphenol contents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofang Liao ◽  
Hongwei Li ◽  
Aziz Khan ◽  
Yanhong Zhao ◽  
Wenhuan Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Rna Isolation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Spectrophotometric Analysis ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Ctab Method ◽  
Commercial Kits

AbstractThe isolation of high-quality RNA from kenaf is crucial for genetic and molecular biology studies. However, high levels of polysaccharide and polyphenol compounds in kenaf tissues could irreversibly bind to and coprecipitate with RNA, which complicates RNA extraction. In the present study, we proposed a simplified, time-saving and low-cost extraction method for isolating high quantities of high-quality RNA from several different kenaf tissues. RNA quality was measured for yield and purity, and the proposed protocol yielded high quantities of RNA (10.1-12.9 μg/g·FW). Spectrophotometric analysis showed that A260/280 ratios of RNA samples were in the range of 2.11 to 2.13, and A260/230 ratios were in the range of 2.04-2.24, indicating that the RNA samples were free of polyphenols, polysaccharides, and protein contaminants after isolation. The method of RNA extraction presented here was superior to the conventional CTAB method in terms of RNA isolation efficiency and was more sample-adaptable and cost-effective than commercial kits. Furthermore, to confirm downstream amenability, the high-quality RNA obtained from this method was successfully used for RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. We provide an efficient and low-cost method for extracting high quantities of high-quality RNA from plants that are rich in polyphenols and polysaccharides, and this method was also validated for the isolation of high-quality RNA from other plants.

scholarly journals Evaluation of RNA extraction free method for detection of SARS-COV-2 in salivary samples for mass screening for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally A. Mahmoud ◽  
Esra Ibrahim ◽  
Subhashini Ganesan ◽  
Bhagyashree Thakre ◽  
Juliet G Teddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Kappa Coefficient ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Good Percentage

AbstractIn this current COVID - 19 pandemic, there is a dire need for cost effective and less time-consuming alternatives for SARS-COV-2 testing. The RNA extraction free method for detecting SARS-COV-2 in saliva is a promising option, this study found that it has high sensitivity (85.34%), specificity (95.04%) and was comparable to the gold standard nasopharyngeal swab. The method showed good percentage of agreement (kappa coefficient) 0.797 between salivary and NPS samples. However, there are variations in the sensitivity and specificity based on the RT-PCR kit used. The Thermo Fischer-Applied biosystems showed high sensitivity, PPV and NPV but also showed higher percentage of invalid reports. Whereas the BGI kit showed high specificity, better agreement (kappa coefficient) between the results of saliva and NPS samples and higher correlation between the Ct values of saliva and NPS samples. Thus, the RNA extraction free method for salivary sample serves as an effective alternative for SARS-CoV 2-testing.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of the diagnostic performance of five commercial COVID-19 qRT PCR kits used in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Singh ◽  
A. K. Yadav ◽  
A. Pakhare ◽  
P. Kulkarni ◽  
L. Lokhande ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Commercial Kits

AbstractTo meet the unprecedented requirement of diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2, a large number of diagnostic kits were authorized by concerned authorities for diagnostic use within a short period of time during the initial phases of the ongoing pandemic. We undertook this study to evaluate the inter-test agreement and other key operational features of 5 such commercial kits that have been extensively used in India for routine diagnostic testing for COVID-19. The five commercial kits were evaluated, using a panel of positive and negative respiratory samples, considering the kit provided by National Institute of Virology, Indian Council of Medical Research (2019-nCoV Kit) as the reference. The positive panel comprised of individuals who fulfilled the 3 criteria of being clinically symptomatic, having history of contact with diagnosed cases and testing positive in the reference kit. The negative panel included both healthy and disease controls, the latter being drawn from individuals diagnosed with other respiratory viral infections. The same protocol of sample collection, same RNA extraction kit and same RT-PCR instrument were used for all the kits. Clinical samples were collected from a panel of 92 cases and 60 control patients, who fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The control group included equal number of healthy individuals and patients infected with other respiratory viruses (n = 30, in each group). We observed varying sensitivity and specificity among the evaluated kits, with LabGun COVID-19 RT-PCR kit showing the highest sensitivity and specificity (94% and 100% respectively), followed by TaqPath COVID-19 Combo and Allplex 2019-nCoV assays. The extent of inter-test agreement was not associated with viral loads of the samples. Poor correlation was observed between Ct values of the same genes amplified using different kits. Our findings reveal the presence of wide heterogeneity and sub-optimal inter-test agreement in the diagnostic performance of the evaluated kits and hint at the need of adopting stringent standards for fulfilling the quality assurance requirements of the COVID-19 diagnostic process.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 detection from nasopharyngeal swab samples without RNA extraction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Beltrán-Pavez ◽  
Chantal L. Márquez ◽  
Gabriela Muñoz ◽  
Fernando Valiente-Echeverría ◽  
Aldo Gaggero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Extraction ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Extraction Step

AbstractThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reached more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Given the large requirement of SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and considering that RNA extraction kits are in short supply, we investigated whether two commercial RT-qPCR kits were compatible with direct SARS-CoV-2 detection from nasopharyngeal swab samples. We show that one of the tested kits is fully compatible with direct SARS-CoV-2 detection suggesting that omission of an RNA extraction step should be considered in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.

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