Development of a fully automated high throughput PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: The need for speed

Virulence. 2020 Dec;11(1):964-967. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1798041.

Abstract

Currently, testing for coronavirus is performed with time and personnel consuming PCR assays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and capacity of a fully automated, random access high-throughput real-time PCR-based diagnostic platform for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The NeuMoDx N96 system displayed an equal or better detection rate for SARS-CoV-2 compared with the LightCycler 480II system and showed a specificity of 100%. The median PCR run time for all 28 PCR runs was 91 (IQR 84-97) minutes. The capacity of the NeuMoDx N96 could easily surpass the capacity of most currently used molecular test systems and significantly reduce the turn-around time.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / genetics
  • Betacoronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / instrumentation
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / standards
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / instrumentation
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • RNA, Viral

Grants and funding

QIAGEN provided all reagents necessary for the evaluation oft the NeuMoDx N96 system.