Comparative analysis of primer-probe sets for the laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2
diagnostics molecular biology
Authors: Jung et al.
Link to paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.25.964775v1
Journal/ Pre-Print: BioRXiv
SUMMARY
This study compares the sensitivity of different primer probe sets recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the confirmation of SARS-CoV-2. Sensitivity is required for the early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Of the WHO recommended SARS-CoV-2 primers, ORF1 and N gene primers were assessed in this study. Using serial dilutions of SARS-CoV-2 RNA isolated from infected Vero cells, the sensitivity of different primer sets was assessed using quantitative RT-PCR. This study concluded that ORF1ab (China), 2019-nCoV_N2 (USA), 2019-nCoV_N3 (USA), and NIID_2019-nCoV_N (Japan) sets may be recommended for the laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
- CT values compared at a concentration of 15 copies per reaction
- Sensitivity of primer probe sets was consistent across serial dilutions of RNA samples.
- ‘2019-nCoV_N2, N3’ of USA most sensitive N gene set comparable to that of
NIID_2019-nCOV_N (Japan)
- ‘ORF1ab’ of China most sensitive ORF1 gene set
- Appropriate combination of above best for most sensitive confirmation of SARS-CoV-2
RESEARCH IMPACT:
Provides researchers with the most sensitive primer sets for the early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.
METHODOLOGY:
African green monkey kidney Vero cells (ATCC CCL-81) were infected with a clinical isolate SARS-CoV-2 (BetaCoV/Korea/KCDC03/2020) provided from Korea CDC.
RNA was isolated and purified using QiAMP Qiagen kit.
qRT-PCR was used to assess primer sensitivity.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE PAPER:
Strengths:
Quality of the assays
Sensitivity of primer probe sets was consistent across serial dilutions of RNA samples.
Weaknesses:
Could have done more repeats as can’t have a loading control CT to adjust to.
Only one set of primers used to reverse transcribe RNA.