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G/meskel W, Desta K, Diriba R, Belachew M, Evans M, Cantarelli V, Urrego M, Sisay A, Gebreegziabxier A, Abera A. SARS-CoV-2 variant typing using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assays in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. IJID REGIONS 2024; 11:100363. [PMID: 38634071 PMCID: PMC11021353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 variants in the first four COVID-19 waves using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based variant detection in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using repository nasopharyngeal samples stored at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute COVID-19 testing laboratory. Stored positive samples were randomly selected from the first four waves based on their sample collection date. A total of 641 nasopharyngeal samples were selected and re-tested for SARS-CoV-2. RNA was extracted using nucleic acid purification instrument. Then, SARS-CoV-2 detection was carried out using 10 μl RNA and 20 μl reverse transcription-PCR fluorescent mix. Cycle threshold values <38 were considered positive. Results A total of 374 samples qualified for B.1.617 Lineage and six spike gene mutation variant typing kits. The variant typing kits identified 267 (71.4%) from the total qualifying samples. Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron were dominantly identified variants from waves I, II, III, and IV, respectively. From the total identified positive study samples, 243 of 267 (91%) of variants identified from samples had cycle threshold values <30. Conclusions The study data demonstrated that reverse transcription-PCR-based variant typing can provide additional screening opportunities where sequencing opportunity is inaccessible. The assays could be implemented in laboratories performing SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wodneh G/meskel
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kassu Desta
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Regasa Diriba
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mahlet Belachew
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Team, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Martin Evans
- Global Public Health Programs, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, USA
| | - Vlademir Cantarelli
- Global Public Health Programs, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, USA
| | - Maritza Urrego
- Global Public Health Programs, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, USA
| | - Abay Sisay
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, P.O.Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Adugna Abera
- Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Team, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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da Silva SM, Amaral C, Malta-Luís C, Grilo D, Duarte AG, Morais I, Afonso G, Faria N, Antunes W, Gomes I, Sá-Leão R, Miragaia M, Serrano M, Pimentel C. A one-step low-cost molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 detection suitable for community testing using minimally processed saliva. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae035. [PMID: 38835855 PMCID: PMC11147803 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae035] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The gold standard for coronavirus disease 2019 diagnostic testing relies on RNA extraction from naso/oropharyngeal swab followed by amplification through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with fluorogenic probes. While the test is extremely sensitive and specific, its high cost and the potential discomfort associated with specimen collection made it suboptimal for public health screening purposes. In this study, we developed an equally reliable, but cheaper and less invasive alternative test based on a one-step RT-PCR with the DNA-intercalating dye SYBR Green, which enables the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly from saliva samples or RNA isolated from nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Importantly, we found that this type of testing can be fine-tuned to discriminate SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. The saliva RT-PCR SYBR Green test was successfully used in a mass-screening initiative targeting nearly 4500 asymptomatic children under the age of 12. Testing was performed at a reasonable cost, and in some cases, the saliva test outperformed NP rapid antigen tests in identifying infected children. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the antigen testing failure could not be attributed to a specific lineage of SARS-CoV-2. Overall, this work strongly supports the view that RT-PCR saliva tests based on DNA-intercalating dyes represent a powerful strategy for community screening of SARS-CoV-2. The tests can be easily applied to other infectious agents and, therefore, constitute a powerful resource for an effective response to future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia M da Silva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Catarina Amaral
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Malta-Luís
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Diana Grilo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Américo G Duarte
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Inês Morais
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Afonso
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Nuno Faria
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Wilson Antunes
- Centro de Investigação da Academia Militar (CINAMIL), Unidade Militar Laboratorial de Defesa Biológica e Química (UMLDBQ), Av. Dr Alfredo Bensaúde, Lisboa, 1849-012, Portugal
| | - Inês Gomes
- Centro de Investigação da Academia Militar (CINAMIL), Unidade Militar Laboratorial de Defesa Biológica e Química (UMLDBQ), Av. Dr Alfredo Bensaúde, Lisboa, 1849-012, Portugal
| | - Raquel Sá-Leão
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Maria Miragaia
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Mónica Serrano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
| | - Catarina Pimentel
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, 2780-157, Portugal
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Miller MR, Tkachenko A, Guag J, Alexander S, Webb BT, Stenger BLS. Comparative evaluation of assay performance for SARS-CoV-2 detection in animal oral samples, lung homogenates, and phosphate-buffered saline using the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo kit. J Vet Diagn Invest 2024; 36:229-237. [PMID: 38362609 DOI: 10.1177/10406387241230315] [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] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
A One Health approach has been key to monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, as human and veterinary medical professionals jointly met the demands for an extraordinary testing effort for SARS-CoV-2. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories continue to monitor SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals, furthering the understanding of zoonotic transmission dynamics between humans and animals. A RT-PCR assay is a primary animal screening tool established within validation and verification guidelines provided by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, differences in sample matrices, RNA extraction methods, instrument platforms, gene targets, and cutoff values may affect test outcomes. Therefore, targeted validation for a new sample matrix used in any PCR assay is critical. We evaluated a COVID-19 assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in feline and canine lung homogenates and oral swab samples. We used the commercial Applied Biosystems MagMAX Viral/Pathogen II (MVP II) nucleic acid isolation kit and TaqPath COVID-19 Combo kit, which are validated for a variety of human samples, including nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples. Our masked test showed a high detection rate and no false-positive or false-negative results, supporting sample extension to include feline oral swab samples. Our study is a prime example of One Health, illustrating how a COVID-19 assay designed for human testing can be adapted and used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in oral swab samples from cats and likely dogs, but not lung homogenates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Miller
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Andriy Tkachenko
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Jake Guag
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Stacey Alexander
- Department of Health and Human Services-Laboratory Services, North Dakota, Bismarck, ND, USA
| | - Brett T Webb
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Brianna L S Stenger
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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Ding H, Zhang W, Wang SA, Li C, Li W, Liu J, Yu F, Tao Y, Cheng S, Xie H, Chen Y. A semi-quantitative upconversion nanoparticle-based immunochromatographic assay for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1289682. [PMID: 38149276 PMCID: PMC10750388 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1289682] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The unprecedented public health and economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been met with an equally unprecedented scientific response. Sensitive point-of-care methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigens in clinical specimens are urgently required for the rapid screening of individuals with viral infection. Here, we developed an upconversion nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (UCNP-LFIA) for the high-sensitivity detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein. A pair of rabbit SARS-CoV-2 N-specific monoclonal antibodies was conjugated to UCNPs, and the prepared UCNPs were then deposited into the LFIA test strips for detecting and capturing the N protein. Under the test conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of UCNP-LFIA for the N protein was 3.59 pg/mL, with a linear range of 0.01-100 ng/mL. Compared with that of the current colloidal gold-based LFIA strips, the LOD of the UCNP-LFIA-based method was increased by 100-fold. The antigen recovery rate of the developed method in the simulated pharyngeal swab samples ranged from 91.1 to 117.3%. Furthermore, compared with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, the developed UCNP-LFIA method showed a sensitivity of 94.73% for 19 patients with COVID-19. Thus, the newly established platform could serve as a promising and convenient fluorescent immunological sensing approach for the efficient screening and diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanying Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shu-an Wang
- Department of Clinic Nutrition, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuang Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wanting Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Polariton Life Technologies Ltd., Soochow, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fang Yu
- Polariton Life Technologies Ltd., Soochow, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanru Tao
- Polariton Life Technologies Ltd., Soochow, Jiangsu, China
| | - Siyun Cheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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