Rapid screening of SARS-CoV-2 variants, a key tool for pandemic surveillance

The utility of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in analysis SARS-COV-2 variants was evaluated. RT-PCR tests were used to analyse the majority of new SARS-CoV-2 cases (n = 9315) in a tertiary hospital (Madrid, Spain) throughout 2021. Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS)...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Muñoz-Gallego, Irene, Meléndez Carmona, María Ángeles, Martín Higuera, Carmen, Viedma, Esther, Delgado, Rafael, Folgueira, María Dolores
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Nature Publishing Group UK 2023
Materias:
Article
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10329708/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37422474
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37866-8
Descripción
Sumario:The utility of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in analysis SARS-COV-2 variants was evaluated. RT-PCR tests were used to analyse the majority of new SARS-CoV-2 cases (n = 9315) in a tertiary hospital (Madrid, Spain) throughout 2021. Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted on 10.8% of these samples (n = 1002). Notably, the Delta and Omicron variants emerged rapidly. There were no discrepancies between RT-PCR and WGS results. Continuous surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants is essential, and RT-PCR is a highly useful method, specially during periods of high COVID-19 incidence. This feasible technique can be implemented in all SARS-CoV-2 laboratories. However, WGS remains the gold standard method for comprehensive detection of all existing SARS-CoV-2 variants.

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