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Pacini A, Paredes F, Heckel S, Ibarra G, Petreli MV, Perez M, Agnella Y, Piskulic L, Allasia MB, Caprile L, Colaneri A, Sesma J. Ready for new waves: optimizing SARS-CoV-2 variants monitoring in pooled samples with droplet digital PCR. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1340420. [PMID: 38298257 PMCID: PMC10829044 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1340420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The declaration of the end of the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 on May 11th, 2023, has shifted the global focus led by WHO and CDC towards monitoring the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Augmenting these international endeavors with local initiatives becomes crucial to not only track the emergence of new variants but also to understand their spread. We present a cost-effective digital PCR-based pooled sample testing methodology tailored for early variant surveillance. Methods Using 1200 retrospective SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, either negative or positive for Delta or Omicron, we assessed the sensitivity and specificity of our detection strategy employing commercial TaqMan variant probes in a 1:9 ratio of variant-positive to variant-negative samples. Results The study achieved 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity in 10-sample pools, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) exceeding 0.998 in ROC curves, using distinct commercial TaqMan variant probes. Discussion The employment of two separate TaqMan probes for both Delta and Omicron establishes dual validation routes, emphasizing the method's robustness. Although we used known samples to model realistic emergence scenarios of the Delta and Omicron variants, our main objective is to demonstrate the versatility of this strategy to identify future variant appearances. The utilization of two divergent variants and distinct probes for each confirms the method's independence from specific variants and probes. This flexibility ensures it can be tailored to recognize any subsequent variant emergence, given the availability of its sequence and a specific probe. Consequently, our approach stands as a robust tool for tracking and managing any new variant outbreak, reinforcing our global readiness against possible future SARS-CoV-2 waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Pacini
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Franco Paredes
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Sofia Heckel
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe Ibarra
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Maria Victoria Petreli
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas de Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Marilina Perez
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Yanina Agnella
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Casilda, Argentina
| | - Laura Piskulic
- Área Estadística y Procesamiento de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Maria Belen Allasia
- Área Estadística y Procesamiento de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Luis Caprile
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Colaneri
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Juliana Sesma
- Molecular Biology Department, Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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2
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de Vries M, Ciabattoni GO, Rodriguez-Rodriguez BA, Crosse KM, Papandrea D, Samanovic MI, Dimartino D, Marier C, Mulligan MJ, Heguy A, Desvignes L, Duerr R, Dittmann M. Generation of quality-controlled SARS-CoV-2 variant stocks. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:3821-3855. [PMID: 37833423 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00897-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stems from the ongoing evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into multiple variants. To address this hurdle, research groups around the world have independently developed protocols to isolate these variants from clinical samples. These isolates are then used in translational and basic research-for example, in vaccine development, drug screening or characterizing SARS-CoV-2 biology and pathogenesis. However, over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned that the introduction of artefacts during both in vitro isolation and subsequent propagation to virus stocks can lessen the validity and reproducibility of data. We propose a rigorous pipeline for the generation of high-quality SARS-CoV-2 variant clonal isolates that minimizes the acquisition of mutations and introduces stringent controls to detect them. Overall, the process includes eight stages: (i) cell maintenance, (ii) isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens, (iii) determination of infectious virus titers by plaque assay, (iv) clonal isolation by plaque purification, (v) whole-virus-genome deep-sequencing, (vi and vii) amplification of selected virus clones to master and working stocks and (viii) sucrose purification. This comprehensive protocol will enable researchers to generate reliable SARS-CoV-2 variant inoculates for in vitro and in vivo experimentation and will facilitate comparisons and collaborative work. Quality-controlled working stocks for most applications can be generated from acquired biorepository virus within 1 month. An additional 5-8 d are required when virus is isolated from clinical swab material, and another 6-7 d is needed for sucrose-purifying the stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren de Vries
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Grace O Ciabattoni
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Keaton M Crosse
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dominick Papandrea
- High Containment Laboratories-Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie I Samanovic
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dacia Dimartino
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Marier
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark J Mulligan
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ludovic Desvignes
- High Containment Laboratories-Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ralf Duerr
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meike Dittmann
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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3
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Shukla N, Srivastava N, Gupta R, Srivastava P, Narayan J. COVID Variants, Villain and Victory: A Bioinformatics Perspective. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2039. [PMID: 37630599 PMCID: PMC10459809 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, a novel member of the Coronaviridae family, is responsible for the viral infection known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). In response to the urgent and critical need for rapid detection, diagnosis, analysis, interpretation, and treatment of COVID-19, a wide variety of bioinformatics tools have been developed. Given the virulence of SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to explore the pathophysiology of the virus. We intend to examine how bioinformatics, in conjunction with next-generation sequencing techniques, can be leveraged to improve current diagnostic tools and streamline vaccine development for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. We also emphasize how bioinformatics, in general, can contribute to critical areas of biomedicine, including clinical diagnostics, SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and its evolution, identification of potential drug targets, and development of therapeutic strategies. Currently, state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools have helped overcome technical obstacles with respect to genomic surveillance and have assisted in rapid detection, diagnosis, and delivering precise treatment to individuals on time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nityendra Shukla
- CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India; (N.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Neha Srivastava
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow 226010, India; (N.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Rohit Gupta
- CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India; (N.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Prachi Srivastava
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow 226010, India; (N.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Jitendra Narayan
- CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India; (N.S.); (R.G.)
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4
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Kalendar R, Kairov U, Karabayev D, Aitkulova A, Tynyshtykbayeva N, Daniyarov A, Otarbay Z, Rakhimova S, Akilzhanova A, Sarbassov D. Universal whole-genome Oxford nanopore sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 using tiled amplicons. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10334. [PMID: 37365249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37588-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a comprehensive multiplexed set of primers adapted for the Oxford Nanopore Rapid Barcoding library kit that allows universal SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. This primer set is designed to set up any variants of the primers pool for whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 using single- or double-tiled amplicons from 1.2 to 4.8 kb with the Oxford Nanopore. This multiplexed set of primers is also applicable for tasks like targeted SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. We proposed here an optimized protocol to synthesize cDNA using Maxima H Minus Reverse Transcriptase with a set of SARS-CoV-2 specific primers, which has high yields of cDNA template for RNA and is capable of long-length cDNA synthesis from a wide range of RNA amounts and quality. The proposed protocol allows whole-genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with tiled amplicons up to 4.8 kb on low-titer virus samples and even where RNA degradation has occurred. This protocol reduces the time and cost from RNA to genome sequence compared to the Midnight multiplex PCR method for SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Kalendar
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ulykbek Kairov
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Daniyar Karabayev
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akbota Aitkulova
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nuray Tynyshtykbayeva
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Asset Daniyarov
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Saule Rakhimova
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Ainur Akilzhanova
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Dos Sarbassov
- Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
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5
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Zeghbib S, Kemenesi G, Jakab F. The importance of equally accessible genomic surveillance in the age of pandemics. Biol Futur 2023:10.1007/s42977-023-00164-5. [PMID: 37199870 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-023-00164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Genomic epidemiology is now a core component in investigating the spread of a disease during an outbreak and for future preparedness to tackle emerging zoonoses. During the last decades, several viral diseases arose and emphasized the importance of molecular epidemiology in tracking the dispersal route, supporting proper mitigation measures, and appropriate vaccine development. In this perspective article, we summarized what has been done so far in the genomic epidemiology field and what should be considered in the future. We traced back the methods and protocols employed over time for zoonotic disease response. Either to small outbreaks such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak identified first in 2002 in Guangdong, China, or to a global pandemic like the one that we are experiencing now since 2019 when the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus emerged in Wuhan, China, following several pneumonia cases, and subsequently spread worldwide. We explored both the benefits and shortages encountered when relying on genomic epidemiology, and we clearly present the disadvantages of inequity in accessing these tools around the world, especially in countries with less developed economies. For effectively addressing future pandemics, it is crucial to work for better sequencing equity around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safia Zeghbib
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary.
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Jakab
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
- Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
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6
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Carbo EC, Mourik K, Boers SA, Munnink BO, Nieuwenhuijse D, Jonges M, Welkers MRA, Matamoros S, van Harinxma Thoe Slooten J, Kraakman MEM, Karelioti E, van der Meer D, Veldkamp KE, Kroes ACM, Sidorov I, de Vries JJC. A comparison of five Illumina, Ion Torrent, and nanopore sequencing technology-based approaches for whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:701-713. [PMID: 37017810 PMCID: PMC10075175 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04590-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Rapid identification of the rise and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern remains critical for monitoring of the efficacy of diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, and control strategies. A wide range of SARS-CoV-2 next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods have been developed over the last years, but cross-sequence technology benchmarking studies have been scarce. In the current study, 26 clinical samples were sequenced using five protocols: AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 (Illumina), EasySeq RC-PCR SARS-CoV-2 (Illumina/NimaGen), Ion AmpliSeq SARS-CoV-2 (Thermo Fisher), custom primer sets (Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT)), and capture probe-based viral metagenomics (Roche/Illumina). Studied parameters included genome coverage, depth of coverage, amplicon distribution, and variant calling. The median SARS-CoV-2 genome coverage of samples with cycle threshold (Ct) values of 30 and lower ranged from 81.6 to 99.8% for, respectively, the ONT protocol and Illumina AmpliSeq protocol. Correlation of coverage with PCR Ct values varied per protocol. Amplicon distribution signatures differed across the methods, with peak differences of up to 4 log10 at disbalanced positions in samples with high viral loads (Ct values ≤ 23). Phylogenetic analyses of consensus sequences showed clustering independent of the workflow used. The proportion of SARS-CoV-2 reads in relation to background sequences, as a (cost-)efficiency metric, was the highest for the EasySeq protocol. The hands-on time was the lowest when using EasySeq and ONT protocols, with the latter additionally having the shortest sequence runtime. In conclusion, the studied protocols differed on a variety of the studied metrics. This study provides data that assist laboratories when selecting protocols for their specific setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Carbo
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kees Mourik
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan A Boers
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Oude Munnink
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Nieuwenhuijse
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Jonges
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs R A Welkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastien Matamoros
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost van Harinxma Thoe Slooten
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margriet E M Kraakman
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Karin Ellen Veldkamp
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aloys C M Kroes
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Sidorov
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jutte J C de Vries
- Clinical Microbiological Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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7
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Ong'era EM, Mohammed KS, Makori TO, Bejon P, Ocholla-Oyier LI, Nokes DJ, Agoti CN, Githinji G. High-throughput sequencing approaches applied to SARS-CoV-2. Wellcome Open Res 2023. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18701.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing is crucial for surveillance and control of viral outbreaks. During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, advances in the high-throughput sequencing technology resources have enhanced diagnosis, surveillance, and vaccine discovery. From the onset of the pandemic in December 2019, several genome-sequencing approaches have been developed and supported across the major sequencing platforms such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio, MGI DNBSEQTM and Ion Torrent. Here, we share insights from the sequencing approaches developed for sequencing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between December 2019 and October 2022.
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8
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Nicot F, Trémeaux P, Latour J, Carcenac R, Demmou S, Jeanne N, Ranger N, De Smet C, Raymond S, Dimeglio C, Izopet J. Whole-genome single molecule real-time sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28564. [PMID: 36756931 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
New variants and genetic mutations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome can only be identified using accurate sequencing methods. Single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing has been used to characterize Alpha and Delta variants, but not Omicron variants harboring numerous mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. This study assesses the performance of a target capture SMRT sequencing protocol for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants and compared it to that of an amplicon SMRT sequencing protocol optimized for Omicron variants. The failure rate of the target capture protocol (6%) was lower than that of the amplicon protocol (34%, p < 0.001) on our data set, and the median genome coverage with the target capture protocol (98.6% [interquartile range (IQR): 86-99.4]) was greater than that with the amplicon protocol (76.6% [IQR: 66-89.6], [p < 0.001]). The percentages of samples with >95% whole genome coverage were 64% with the target capture protocol and 19% with the amplicon protocol (p < 0.05). The clades of 96 samples determined with both protocols were 93% concordant and the lineages of 59 samples were 100% concordant. Thus, target capture SMRT sequencing appears to be an efficient method for WGS, genotyping and detecting mutations of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Nicot
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Pauline Trémeaux
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Justine Latour
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Romain Carcenac
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Sofia Demmou
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Jeanne
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Noémie Ranger
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Raymond
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
- INSERM UMR 1291-CNRS UMR 5051, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Toulouse, France
| | - Chloé Dimeglio
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
- INSERM UMR 1291-CNRS UMR 5051, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- Virology Laboratory, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
- INSERM UMR 1291-CNRS UMR 5051, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), Toulouse, France
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9
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Valenzuela-Fernández A, Cabrera-Rodriguez R, Ciuffreda L, Perez-Yanes S, Estevez-Herrera J, González-Montelongo R, Alcoba-Florez J, Trujillo-González R, García-Martínez de Artola D, Gil-Campesino H, Díez-Gil O, Lorenzo-Salazar JM, Flores C, Garcia-Luis J. Nanomaterials to combat SARS-CoV-2: Strategies to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1052436. [PMID: 36507266 PMCID: PMC9732709 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1052436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which severely affect the respiratory system and several organs and tissues, and may lead to death, have shown how science can respond when challenged by a global emergency, offering as a response a myriad of rapid technological developments. Development of vaccines at lightning speed is one of them. SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks have stressed healthcare systems, questioning patients care by using standard non-adapted therapies and diagnostic tools. In this scenario, nanotechnology has offered new tools, techniques and opportunities for prevention, for rapid, accurate and sensitive diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. In this review, we focus on the nanotechnological applications and nano-based materials (i.e., personal protective equipment) to combat SARS-CoV-2 transmission, infection, organ damage and for the development of new tools for virosurveillance, diagnose and immune protection by mRNA and other nano-based vaccines. All the nano-based developed tools have allowed a historical, unprecedented, real time epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, at community and international levels. The nano-based technology has help to predict and detect how this Sarbecovirus is mutating and the severity of the associated COVID-19 disease, thereby assisting the administration and public health services to make decisions and measures for preparedness against the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 and severe or lethal COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Valenzuela-Fernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Viral, Unidad de Farmacología, Sección de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Romina Cabrera-Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Viral, Unidad de Farmacología, Sección de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Laura Ciuffreda
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario N. S. de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Silvia Perez-Yanes
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Viral, Unidad de Farmacología, Sección de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Judith Estevez-Herrera
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Viral, Unidad de Farmacología, Sección de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | | | - Julia Alcoba-Florez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario N. S. de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Trujillo-González
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Viral, Unidad de Farmacología, Sección de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departamento de Análisis Matemático, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Helena Gil-Campesino
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario N. S. de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Oscar Díez-Gil
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario N. S. de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - José M. Lorenzo-Salazar
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Carlos Flores
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario N. S. de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Genomics Division, Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Jonay Garcia-Luis
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Viral, Unidad de Farmacología, Sección de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
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10
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Hao Y, Wang Y, Wang M, Zhou L, Shi J, Cao J, Wang D. The origins of COVID-19 pandemic: A brief overview. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3181-3197. [PMID: 36218169 PMCID: PMC9874793 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak that emerged at the end of 2019 has now swept the world for more than 2 years, causing immeasurable damage to the lives and economies of the world. It has drawn so much attention to discovering how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated and entered the human body. The current argument revolves around two contradictory theories: a scenario of laboratory spillover events and human contact with zoonotic diseases. Here, we reviewed the transmission, pathogenesis, possible hosts, as well as the genome and protein structure of SARS-CoV-2, which play key roles in the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the coronavirus was originally transmitted to human by animals rather than by a laboratory leak. However, there still needs more investigations to determine the source of the pandemic. Understanding how COVID-19 emerged is vital to developing global strategies for mitigating future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying‐Jian Hao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Yu‐Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Mei‐Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Lan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Jian‐Yun Shi
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - Ji‐Min Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
| | - De‐Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Ministry of Education, Department of PhysiologyShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanChina
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11
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Jonguitud-Borrego N, Malcı K, Anand M, Baluku E, Webb C, Liang L, Barba-Ostria C, Guaman LP, Hui L, Rios-Solis L. High—throughput and automated screening for COVID-19. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:969203. [PMID: 36188187 PMCID: PMC9521367 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.969203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global challenge for the healthcare systems of many countries with 6 million people having lost their lives and 530 million more having tested positive for the virus. Robust testing and a comprehensive track and trace process for positive patients are essential for effective pandemic control, leading to high demand for diagnostic testing. In order to comply with demand and increase testing capacity worldwide, automated workflows have come into prominence as they enable high-throughput screening, faster processing, exclusion of human error, repeatability, reproducibility and diagnostic precision. The gold standard for COVID-19 testing so far has been RT-qPCR, however, different SARS-CoV-2 testing methods have been developed to be combined with high throughput testing to improve diagnosis. Case studies in China, Spain and the United Kingdom have been reviewed and automation has been proven to be promising for mass testing. Free and Open Source scientific and medical Hardware (FOSH) plays a vital role in this matter but there are some challenges to be overcome before automation can be fully implemented. This review discusses the importance of automated high-throughput testing, the different equipment available, the bottlenecks of its implementation and key selected case studies that due to their high effectiveness are already in use in hospitals and research centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nestor Jonguitud-Borrego
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology (SynthSys), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Koray Malcı
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology (SynthSys), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mihir Anand
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology BHU, Varanasi, India
| | - Erikan Baluku
- School of Bio-Security, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Calum Webb
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lungang Liang
- BGI Clinical Laboratories, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Carlos Barba-Ostria
- Escuela de Medicina, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud Quito, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Linda P. Guaman
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CENBIO), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Universidad UTE, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Liu Hui
- BGI Clinical Laboratories, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Leonardo Rios-Solis
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology (SynthSys), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Correspondence: Leonardo Rios-Solis
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12
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Nicot F, Trémeaux P, Latour J, Jeanne N, Ranger N, Raymond S, Dimeglio C, Salin G, Donnadieu C, Izopet J. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2: Comparison of target capture and amplicon single molecule real-time sequencing protocols. J Med Virol 2022; 95:e28123. [PMID: 36056719 PMCID: PMC9539136 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Fast, accurate sequencing methods are needed to identify new variants and genetic mutations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome. Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) provides long, highly accurate sequences by circular consensus reads. This study compares the performance of a target capture SMRT PacBio protocol for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 to that of an amplicon PacBio SMRT sequencing protocol. The median genome coverage was higher (p < 0.05) with the target capture protocol (99.3% [interquartile range, IQR: 96.3-99.5]) than with the amplicon protocol (99.3% [IQR: 69.9-99.3]). The clades of 65 samples determined with both protocols were 100% concordant. After adjusting for Ct values, S gene coverage was higher with the target capture protocol than with the amplicon protocol. After stratification on Ct values, higher S gene coverage with the target capture protocol was observed only for samples with Ct > 17 (p < 0.01). PacBio SMRT sequencing protocols appear to be suitable for WGS, genotyping, and detecting mutations of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Nicot
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance
| | | | - Justine Latour
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance
| | - Nicolas Jeanne
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance
| | - Noémie Ranger
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance
| | - Stéphanie Raymond
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance,Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy)INSERM UMR 1291 – CNRS UMR 5051ToulouseFrance
| | - Chloé Dimeglio
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance,Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy)INSERM UMR 1291 – CNRS UMR 5051ToulouseFrance
| | - Gérald Salin
- Genotoul‐Genome & Transcriptome—Plateforme Génomique (GeT‐PlaGe), US INRAe 1426Castanet‐TolosanFrance
| | - Cécile Donnadieu
- Genotoul‐Genome & Transcriptome—Plateforme Génomique (GeT‐PlaGe), US INRAe 1426Castanet‐TolosanFrance
| | - Jacques Izopet
- Virology LaboratoryToulouse University HospitalToulouseFrance,Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy)INSERM UMR 1291 – CNRS UMR 5051ToulouseFrance
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13
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Borillo GA, Kagan RM, Marlowe EM. Rapid and Accurate Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using Real Time PCR Assays. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:894613. [PMID: 35619652 PMCID: PMC9127862 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.894613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic surveillance efforts for SARS-CoV-2 are needed to understand the epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic. Viral variants may impact routine diagnostic testing, increase viral transmissibility, cause differences in disease severity, have decreased susceptibility to therapeutics, and/or confer the ability to evade host immunity. While viral whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has played a leading role in surveillance programs, many laboratories lack the expertise and resources for performing WGS. This study describes the performance of multiplexed real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays for identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Methods SARS-CoV-2 specimens were tested for spike-gene variants using a combination of allele-specific primer and allele-specific detection technology (PlexPrime® and PlexZyme®). Targeted detection of spike gene mutations by RT-PCR was compared to variant detection in positive specimens by WGS, including the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Results A total of 398 SAR-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive and 39 negative specimens previously tested by WGS were re-tested by RT-PCR genotyping. PCR detection of spike gene mutations N501Y, E484K, and S982A correlated 100% with WGS for the 29 lineages represented, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Gamma (P.1). Incorporating the P681R spike gene mutation also allowed screening for the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2 and AY sublineages). Further sampling of 664 specimens that were screened by WGS between June and August 2021 and then re-tested by RT-PCR showed strong agreement for Delta variant positivity: 34.5% for WGS vs 32.9% for RT-PCR in June; 100% vs 97.8% in August. In a blinded panel of 16 Omicron and 16 Delta specimens, results of RT-PCR were 100% concordant with WGS results. Conclusions These data demonstrate that multiplexed real-time RT-PCR genotyping has strong agreement with WGS and may provide additional SARS-CoV-2 variant screening capabilities when WGS is unavailable or cost-prohibitive. RT-PCR genotyping assays may also supplement existing sequencing efforts while providing rapid results at or near the time of diagnosis to help guide patient management.
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