Development of multiplex S-gene-targeted RT-PCR for rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants by extended S-gene target failure.
Clin Chim Acta 2022;
536:6-11. [PMID:
36113557 PMCID:
PMC9472704 DOI:
10.1016/j.cca.2022.08.031]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background
Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) by genomic sequencing is time-consuming. The rapid screening of VOCs is necessary for clinical laboratories. In this study, we developed a rapid screening method based on multiplex RT-PCR by extended S-gene target failure (eSGTF), a false negative result caused by S-gene mutations.
Methods
Three S-gene target (SGT) regions (SGT1, codons 65–72; SGT2, codons 152–159; and SGT3, codons 370–377) and an N-gene region (for internal control) were detected in single-tube. Four types of VOC (Alpha, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron BA.2) are classified by positive/negative patterns of 3 S-gene regions (eSGTF pattern).
Results
The eSGTF patterns of VOCs were as follows (SGT1, SGT2, SGT3; P, positive; N, negative): Alpha, NPP; Delta, PNP; Omicron BA.1, NPN pattern; and Omicron BA.2, PPN. As compared with the S-gene sequencing, eSGTF patterns were identical to the specific VOCs (concordance rate = 96.7%, N = 206/213). Seven samples with discordant results had a minor mutation in the probe binding region. The epidemics of VOCs estimated by eSGTF patterns were similar to those in Japan.
Conclusions
Multiplex RT-PCR and eSGTF patterns enable high-throughput screening of VOCs. It will be useful for the rapid determination of VOCs in clinical laboratories.
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