scholarly journals Rapid Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in Clinical and Environmental Samples Using Nested RT-PCR Assays Targeting Key Mutations of the Spike Protein

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. La Rosa ◽  
P. Mancini ◽  
G. Bonanno Ferraro ◽  
C. Veneri ◽  
M. Iaconelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spike Protein ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Viral Isolates

SUMMARYNew SARS-CoV-2 mutations are constantly emerging, raising concerns of increased transmissibility, virulence or escape from host immune response.We describe a nested RT-PCR assay (∼1500 bps) to detect multiple key spike protein mutations distinctive of the major known circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the three Variants of Concern (VOCs) 20I/501Y.V1 (United Kingdom), 20H/501Y.V2 (South Africa), and 20J/501Y.V3 (Brazil), as well as the 20E.EU1 variant (Spain), the CAL.20C recently identified in California, and the mink-associated variant (GR, lineage B.1.1.298). Prior to application to field samples, the discriminatory potential of this PCR assay was explored using GISAID and Nextclade. To extend variant detection to challenging matrices such as sewage, where the amplification of long fragments is problematic, two short nested RT-PCR assays (∼300 bps) were also designed, targeting portions of the region spanned by the long nested assay.The three newly-designed assays were then tested on field samples, including 7 fully-sequenced viral isolates from swab samples and 34 urban wastewater samples, some of which collected in areas where circulation of VOCs had been reported.The long assay successfully amplified all the previously characterized viral isolates, allowing the correct identification of variants 20I/501Y.V1 and 20E.EU1 present in the panel. The sequences obtained using the short assays were consistent with those obtained with the long assay. Mutations characteristic of VOCs (UK and Brazilian variant) and of other variant (Spanish) were detected in sewage samples. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of the presence of sequences harboring key mutations of 20I/501Y.V1 and 20J/501Y.V3 in urban wastewaters, highlighting the potential contribution of wastewater surveillance to explore SARS-CoV-2 diversity.The developed nested RT-PCR assays can be used as an initial rapid screening test to select clinical samples containing mutations of interest. This can speed up diagnosis and optimize resources since it allows full genome sequencing to be done only on clinically relevant specimens. The assays can be also employed for a rapid and cost-effective detection of VOCs or other variants in sewage for the purposes of wastewater-based epidemiology. The approach proposed here can be used to better understand SARS-CoV-2 variant diversity, geographic distribution and impact worldwide.

scholarly journals Reverse transcription-PCR using a Primer Set Targeting the 3D Region Detects Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus with High Sensitivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Nishi ◽  
Toru Kanno ◽  
Nobuaki Shimada ◽  
Kazuki Morioka ◽  
Makoto Yamakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Pcr Assays

AbstractBecause foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has the potential to spread extensively, methods used for its diagnosis must be rapid and accurate. Therefore, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) plays an important diagnostic role. Here we designed the primer set FM8/9 to amplify 644 bases of the conserved 3D region of all seven serotypes of FMD virus (FMDV). We compared the performance of RT-PCR assays using FM8/9 with that using the primer set 1F/R targeting the 5’-UTR described in the manual of the World Organization for Animal Health. The detection limits of the RT-PCR assays were determined for 14 strains representing all serotypes. Compared with the sensitivities of the RT-PCR assay using 1F/R, those using FM8/9 were 101-to 104-fold higher for eight strains. To assess the validity of the methods for analyzing clinical samples, sera and saliva samples from pigs and cows infected with FMDV were collected daily and analyzed using the two PCR assays. The FM8/9 assay detected FMDV from all infected pigs and cows for longer times compared with the 1F/R assay, therefore revealing higher sensitivity for the clinical samples. Our results suggest that the FM8/9 RT-PCR assay is highly sensitive and is therefore suitable for the diagnosis of FMD.

scholarly journals Detection of SARS Coronavirus in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome by Conventional and Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR Assays

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo L M Poon ◽  
Kwok Hung Chan ◽  
On Kei Wong ◽  
Timothy K W Cheung ◽  
Iris Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Real Time ◽  
N Gene ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays

Abstract Background: A novel coronavirus (CoV) was recently identified as the agent for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We compared the abilities of conventional and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays to detect SARS CoV in clinical specimens. Methods: RNA samples isolated from nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA; n = 170) and stool (n = 44) were reverse-transcribed and tested by our in-house conventional RT-PCR assay. We selected 98 NPA and 37 stool samples collected at different times after the onset of disease and tested them in a real-time quantitative RT-PCR specific for the open reading frame (ORF) 1b region of SARS CoV. Detection rates for the conventional and real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays were compared. To investigate the nature of viral RNA molecules in these clinical samples, we determined copy numbers of ORF 1b and nucleocapsid (N) gene sequences of SARS CoV. Results: The quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay was more sensitive than the conventional RT-PCR assay for detecting SARS CoV in samples collected early in the course of the disease. Real-time assays targeted at the ORF 1b region and the N gene revealed that copy numbers of ORF 1b and N gene sequences in clinical samples were similar. Conclusions: NPA and stool samples can be used for early diagnosis of SARS. The real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay for SARS CoV is potentially useful for early detection of SARS CoV. Our results suggest that genomic RNA is the predominant viral RNA species in clinical samples.

scholarly journals Best Molecular Tools to Investigate Coronavirus Diversity in Mammals: A Comparison

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1975
Author(s):  
Petra Drzewnioková ◽  
Francesca Festa ◽  
Valentina Panzarin ◽  
Davide Lelli ◽  
Ana Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Host Shift ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are widespread and highly diversified in wildlife and domestic mammals and can emerge as zoonotic or epizootic pathogens and consequently host shift from these reservoirs, highlighting the importance of veterinary surveillance. All genera can be found in mammals, with α and β showing the highest frequency and diversification. The aims of this study were to review the literature for features of CoV surveillance in animals, to test widely used molecular protocols, and to identify the most effective one in terms of spectrum and sensitivity. We combined a literature review with analyses in silico and in vitro using viral strains and archive field samples. We found that most protocols defined as pan-coronavirus are strongly biased towards α- and β-CoVs and show medium-low sensitivity. The best results were observed using our new protocol, showing LoD 100 PFU/mL for SARS-CoV-2, 50 TCID50/mL for CaCoV, 0.39 TCID50/mL for BoCoV, and 9 ± 1 log2 ×10−5 HA for IBV. The protocol successfully confirmed the positivity for a broad range of CoVs in 30/30 field samples. Our study points out that pan-CoV surveillance in mammals could be strongly improved in sensitivity and spectrum and propose the application of a new RT-PCR assay, which is able to detect CoVs from all four genera, with an optimal sensitivity for α-, β-, and γ-.

scholarly journals A New Highly Sensitive and Specific Real-Time PCR Assay Targeting the Malate Dehydrogenase Gene ofKingella kingaeand Application to 201 Pediatric Clinical Specimens

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawal El Houmami ◽  
Guillaume André Durand ◽  
Janek Bzdrenga ◽  
Anne Darmon ◽  
Philippe Minodier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Malate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Pcr Assays

ABSTRACTKingella kingaeis a significant pediatric pathogen responsible for bone and joint infections, occult bacteremia, and endocarditis in early childhood. Past efforts to detect this bacterium using culture and broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR assays from clinical specimens have proven unsatisfactory; therefore, by the late 2000s, these were gradually phased out to explore the benefits of specific real-time PCR tests targeting thegroELgene and the RTX locus ofK. kingae. However, recent studies showed that real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays targeting theKingellasp. RTX locus that are currently available for the diagnosis ofK. kingaeinfection lack specificity because they could not distinguish betweenK. kingaeand the recently describedKingella negevensisspecies. Furthermore,in silicoanalysis of thegroELgene from a large collection of 45K. kingaestrains showed that primers and probes fromK. kingaegroEL-based RT-PCR assays display a few mismatches withK. kingae groELvariations that may result in decreased detection sensitivity, especially in paucibacillary clinical specimens. In order to provide an alternative togroEL- and RTX-targeting RT-PCR assays that may suffer from suboptimal specificity and sensitivity, aK. kingae-specific RT-PCR assay targeting the malate dehydrogenase (mdh) gene was developed for predicting no mismatch between primers and probe and 18 variants of theK. kingae mdhgene from 20 distinct sequence types ofK. kingae. This novelK. kingae-specific RT-PCR assay demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity and was successfully used to diagnoseK. kingaeinfections and carriage in 104 clinical specimens from children between 7 months and 7 years old.

scholarly journals Improved Primers for the Specific Detection of Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli in Sugarcane Using a Conventional PCR Assay

Plant Disease ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (12) ◽  
pp. 3251-3258
Author(s):  
Sheng-Ren Sun ◽  
Jun-Lü Chen ◽  
Yao-Yao Duan ◽  
Na Chu ◽  
Mei-Ting Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Dna Amplification ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Saccharum Spp ◽  
Sensitivity Tests ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

Ratoon stunting disease (RSD), one of the most important diseases of sugarcane, is caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (Lxx). Lxx infects sugarcane worldwide and RSD results in high yield losses and varietal degeneration. It is highly challenging to diagnose RSD based on visual symptomatology because this disease does not exhibit distinct external and internal symptoms. In this study, a novel Lxx-specific primer pair Lxx-F1/Lxx-R1 was designed to detect this pathogen using a conventional PCR assay. These primers were then compared with four published Lxx-specific primers and one universal Leifsonia generic primer pair LayF/LayR. Sugarcane leaf samples were collected from Saccharum spp. hybrids in commercial fields (315 samples) and from germplasm clones of five Saccharum species and Erianthus arundinaceus (216 samples). These samples were used for comparative field diagnosis with six conventional PCR assays. Sensitivity tests suggested that the PCR assay with primers Lxx-F1/Lxx-R1 had the same detection limit (1 pg of Lxx genomic DNA) as the primer pairs Cxx1/Cxx2 and CxxITSf#5/CxxITSr#5 and had 10-fold higher sensitivity than the primer pairs Pat1-F2/Pat1-R2, LayF/LayR, and C2F/C2R. Comparison of PCR assays revealed that natural Lxx-infection incidence (6.1%) in field sample evaluation identified by Lxx-F1/Lxx-R1 primers was higher than incidences (0.7 to 3.0%) determined by other primer pairs. Moreover, no nonspecific DNA amplification occurred within these field samples with Lxx-F1/Lxx-R1 primers, unlike with the primer pairs Cxx1/Cxx2 and LayF/LayR. Diverse Leifsonia strains were identified by PCR detection with LayF/LayR primers in the field samples, whereas whether these Leifsonia strains were pathogenic to sugarcane requires further research. Our investigations revealed that the PCR assay with the newly designed primers Lxx-F1/Lxx-R1 could be widely used for RSD diagnosis and Lxx-pathogen detection with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity.

Development of a novel SYBR green I-based quantitative RT-PCR assay for Senecavirus A detection in clinical samples of pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 101643
Author(s):  
Suyu Mu ◽  
Sahibzada Waheed Abdullah ◽  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Shichong Han ◽  
Huichen Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sybr Green ◽  
Sybr Green I ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay

Quantification of viable eggs of the potato cyst nematodes (Globodera spp.) using either trehalose or RNA-specific Real-Time PCR

Nematology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1219-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna E. Beniers ◽  
Thomas H. Been ◽  
Odette Mendes ◽  
Marga P.E. van Gent-Pelzer ◽  
Theo A.J. van der Lee
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Globodera Pallida ◽  
Potato Cyst Nematodes ◽  
Original Sample ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cyst Nematodes ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Field Samples

Two novel methods for the quantitative estimation of the number of viable eggs of the potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis) were tested and compared with visual inspection. One is based on the loss of membrane integrity upon death and uses trehalose (a disaccharide) as a marker, the second test exploits the rapid degeneration of mRNA upon decease with a RNA-specific Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The viability of eggs in suspensions with different numbers of eggs was determined morphologically and was compared with both trehalose and elongation-factor-1-alpha (EF1α) mRNA measurements. The trehalose assay provided results that were close to those of the visual assessment using a microscope but only when samples contained low numbers of eggs. The lowest detectable value is 1.1 egg in the original sample and small differences in the number of viable eggs can be detected. Unfortunately, trehalose measurements reached a saturation limit at 1 cyst 10 μl−1; therefore, samples with nematode numbers above 262 eggs have to be diluted. The presence of dead cysts did not have a negative effect on the trehalose measurements. However, the use of egg suspensions instead of encysted eggs improved both the trehalose absorbance and the reliability of the measurements. When cysts were exposed to a treatment with allylisothiocyanate, the trehalose measurement detected the presence of more viable eggs than a hatching assay. The RT-PCR assay required a minimum of 30 eggs before detection occurred but can detect up to 8000 eggs in a 25 μl sample, which is an advantage when samples with high PCN infestations have to be processed. However, the confidence intervals (CI) of the RT-PCR assay are larger than those of the trehalose assay, which results in a high variation of single measurements. For example, at a density of 210 eggs in the original sample the 95% CI for the trehalose assay covers 191-228 eggs, and the 95% CI for the RT-PCR assay for G. pallida lies between 73 and 602 eggs and for G. rostochiensis between 59 and 745 eggs. Trials with field samples using both methods supported the laboratory tests. 95% of the field samples tested with the trehalose assay lie within the CI of the standard curve compared to 58% of the RT-PCR tested samples for G. pallida. The measurements of the field samples of G. pallida and G. rostochiensis populations using both methods resulted in larger numbers of viable eggs being detected compared to a hatching test. Neither of the investigated methods in their current state of development is optimal for use as a substitute for the visual inspection used in monitoring labs. The variance of the RT-PCR assay is too high if used for quantitative monitoring; the density range of eggs that can be detected using the trehalose assay is too small.

scholarly journals Description and Validation of a Novel Real-Time RT-PCR Enterovirus Assay

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 406-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weston C Hymas ◽  
Wade K Aldous ◽  
Edward W Taggart ◽  
Jeffery B Stevenson ◽  
David R Hillyard
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
The Real ◽  
Nontranslated Region

Abstract Background: Enteroviruses are a leading cause of aseptic meningitis in adult and pediatric populations. We describe the development of a real-time RT-PCR assay that amplifies a small target in the 5′ nontranslated region upstream of the classical Rotbart enterovirus amplicon. The assay includes an RNA internal control and incorporates modified nucleotide chemistry. Methods: We evaluated the performance characteristics of this design and performed blinded parallel testing on clinical samples, comparing the results with a commercially available RT-PCR assay (Pan-Enterovirus OligoDetect kit) that uses an enzyme immunoassay–like plate end detection. Results: We tested 778 samples and found 14 discrepant samples between the 2 assays. Of these, the real-time assay detected 6 samples that were negative by the OligoDetect kit, 5 of which were confirmed as positive by sequence analysis using an alternative primer set. Eight discrepant samples were positive by the OligoDetect kit and real-time negative, with 6 confirmed by sequencing. Overall, detection rates of 97% and 96% were obtained for the OligoDetect kit and real-time assays, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the targeted region. The comparative sensitivities of the 2 assays were equivalent, with the limit of detection for the real-time assay determined to be approximately 430 copies per milliliter in cerebrospinal fluid. Conclusions: This novel real-time enterovirus assay is a sensitive and suitable assay for routine clinical testing. The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms can affect real-time PCR assays.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document