SARS-CoV2 quantification using RT-dPCR: a faster and safer alternative to assist viral genomic copies assessment using RT-qPCR

In this study, serial dilutions of SARS-CoV 2 RNA extract were tested using RT-dPCR using three different primer-probe assays aiming SARS-CoV 2 nucleocapsid coding region. Narrower confidence intervals, indicating high quantification precision were obtained in 100 and 1000-fold serial dilution and RT-dPCR results were equivalent between different assays in the same dilution. High accuracy of this test allowed conclusions regarding the ability of this technique to evaluate precisely the amount of genomic copies present in a sample. We believe that this fast and safe method can assist other researchers in titration of SARS-CoV2 controls used in RT-qPCR without the need of virus isolation.

Genome Sequence of Tilapia Lake Virus Associated with Syncytial Hepatitis of Tilapia in an Ecuadorian Aquaculture Facility

Here, we report the complete coding sequences of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) associated with syncytial hepatitis of tilapia (SHT). The TiLV strain was sequenced from the liver RNA extract of a moribund Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerling from an Ecuadorian aquaculture facility in 2012.