TY - JOUR
T1 - Effective optimization of SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing variables in an era of supply chain constraints
AU - S Sahajpal, Nikhil
AU - Mondal, Ashis K.
AU - Njau, Allan
AU - Ananth, Sudha
AU - Jones, Kimya
AU - Ahluwalia, Pankaj K.
AU - Ahluwalia, Meenakshi
AU - Jilani, Yasmeen
AU - Chaubey, Alka
AU - Hegde, Madhuri
AU - Kota, Vamsi
AU - Rojiani, Amyn Mohammed
AU - Kolhe, Ravindra Bharat
N1 - Funding Information:
R Kolhe has received honoraria, travel funding and research support from Illumina, Asuragen, QIAGEN and BMS. M Hegde and A Chaubey hold stock options at PerkinElmer Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
PY - 2020/10
Y1 - 2020/10
N2 - RT-PCR-based assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 have played an essential role in the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, the sample collection and test reagents are in short supply, primarily due to supply chain issues. Thus, to eliminate testing constraints, we have optimized three key process variables: RNA extraction and RT-PCR reactions, different sample types and media to facilitate SARS-CoV-2 testing. By performing various validation and bridging studies, we have shown that various sample types such as nasopharyngeal swab, bronchioalveolar lavage and saliva, collected using conventional nasopharyngeal swabs, ESwab or 3D-printed swabs and, preserved in viral transport media, universal transport media, 0.9% sodium chloride or Amies media are compatible with RT-PCR assay for COVID-19. Besides, the reduction of PCR reagents by up to fourfold also produces reliable results.
AB - RT-PCR-based assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 have played an essential role in the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, the sample collection and test reagents are in short supply, primarily due to supply chain issues. Thus, to eliminate testing constraints, we have optimized three key process variables: RNA extraction and RT-PCR reactions, different sample types and media to facilitate SARS-CoV-2 testing. By performing various validation and bridging studies, we have shown that various sample types such as nasopharyngeal swab, bronchioalveolar lavage and saliva, collected using conventional nasopharyngeal swabs, ESwab or 3D-printed swabs and, preserved in viral transport media, universal transport media, 0.9% sodium chloride or Amies media are compatible with RT-PCR assay for COVID-19. Besides, the reduction of PCR reagents by up to fourfold also produces reliable results.
KW - 3D swab
KW - assay modifications
KW - assay optimization
KW - bridging studies
KW - COVID-19
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85096199354&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85096199354&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2217/fmb-2020-0094
DO - 10.2217/fmb-2020-0094
M3 - Review article
C2 - 33179525
AN - SCOPUS:85096199354
VL - 15
SP - 1483
EP - 1487
JO - Future Microbiology
JF - Future Microbiology
SN - 1746-0913
IS - 15
ER -