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Updated: May 11, 2026

Development of Multiplex Real-Time RT-qPCR Assays for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and MERS-CoV
Published on: November 10, 2023
[Molecular detection assays for 2012 identified novel human coronavirus (HCoV) and probe modification with locked
Wei-Min Zhou1, Rou-Jian Lu, He-Yuan Gong
1National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
Objective:
To develop and optimize the molecular detection assays for recently identified human coronavirus (HCoV) infection.
Methods:
Based on the 208 base pair(bp) sequence of novel HCoV reported by HPA of UK, we designed and obtained several pairs of primer (F-1, R-1; F-2, R-2) and Taqman probes (TZ1,TZ2) for detection of novel HCoV. Two of probes were modified with LNA (LNA-TZ1, LNA-TZ2). Then, RT-PCR and various real time RT-PCR assays were developed and optimized in this study. We also compared our assays with the real time RT-PCR assays reported recently by Europe team based on upE or ORF1b target.
Results:
The RT-PCR or real time RT-PCR assays for novel HCoV were developed without cross-reactivity with other HCoV and several common respiratory viruses using clinical specimen panel. The analytical sensitivity of assays were less than 50-500 copies per reaction and the detection was improved when Taqman probe modified with LNA-tagged, compared to no LNA-tagged in real time RT-PCR assays. The upE and LNA-TZ1 based assays were better than others.
Conclusion:
The molecular detection sensitivity and specificity of TaqMan-based real time PCR assay could be improved when probe tagged with LNA. The upE or LNA-TZ1 based real time RT-PCR assay was recommend for detection of novel HCoV. This study laid a foundation for improving the performance of novel HCoV detection.
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