1. Rapid Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Using a Portable peakPCR Platform
- Author
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Bechtold, Philippe, Wagner, Philipp, Hosch, Salome, Siegrist, Denise, Ruiz-Serrano, Amalia, Gregorini, Michele, Mpina, Maxmillian, Ondó, Florentino Abaga, Obama, Justino, Ayekaba, Mitoha Ondo’o, Engler, Olivier, Stark, Wendelin J., Daubenberger, Claudia A., and Schindler, Tobias
- Abstract
The need for tools that facilitate rapid detection and continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) is greater than ever, as these variants are more transmissible and therefore increase the pressure of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. To address this demand, we aimed at developing and evaluating a robust and fast diagnostic approach for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 VOC-associated spike gene mutations. Our diagnostic assays detect the E484K and N501Y single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as a spike gene deletion (HV69/70) and can be run on standard laboratory equipment or on the portable rapid diagnostic technology platform peakPCR. The assays achieved excellent diagnostic performance when tested with RNA extracted from culture-derived SARS-CoV-2 VOC lineages and clinical samples collected in Equatorial Guinea, Central-West Africa. Simplicity of usage and the relatively low cost are advantages that make our approach well suitable for decentralized and rapid testing, especially in resource-limited settings.
- Published
- 2021
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