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Use of the Human Coronavirus 2012 (MERS) GeneSig kit for MERS-CoV detection
Rouba Hoteit1, Dina Shammaa1, Rami Mahfouz1
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, 1107-2020, Lebanon.
Introduction:
Mortality due to MERS-CoV infection is common especially among immunocompromised patients. The pathogenesis and the transmission mode of this virus are still not well understood. The name of the virus is derived from the area of its appearance and the genomic sequence that was used in the development of qRT-PCR assays for MERS-CoV detection was retrieved from the first detected case isolate. The employed assays target various regions including the area upstream of the envelope gene (upE) that is used for screening and the open reading frames (ORF) 1a and 1b used for confirmation.
Aim:
This study assesses the use of a MERS-CoV specific assay for screening of respiratory samples in anticipation of the possible spread of the virus in the region.
Methods:
46 respiratory specimens were tested using the qualitative one-step qRT-PCR GeneSig Human Coronavirus 2012 (MERS) kit (PrimerDesign™).
Results:
Out of the 46 tested samples, 45 were negative for MERS-CoV and one sample was found MERS-CoV positive.
Conclusion:
The GeneSig Human Coronavirus 2012 (MERS) kit is very useful for the screening of suspected respiratory cases in the Middle East area as well as other regions.
Insights
A MERS-CoV specific qRT-PCR assay effectively screened respiratory samples. This diagnostic tool identified one positive case out of 46, aiding in the surveillance of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) poses a significant mortality risk, particularly for immunocompromised individuals.
- The precise pathogenesis and transmission routes of MERS-CoV remain incompletely understood.
- Diagnostic assays for MERS-CoV, including qRT-PCR, utilize genomic sequences from early isolates, targeting specific viral regions like upE and ORFs for detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a MERS-CoV specific assay for screening respiratory samples.
- To prepare for potential MERS-CoV outbreaks in the region.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative one-step qRT-PCR assay, the GeneSig Human Coronavirus 2012 (MERS) kit, was employed.
- A total of 46 respiratory specimens were analyzed using this diagnostic kit.
Main Results:
- Out of 46 respiratory samples tested, one sample yielded a positive result for MERS-CoV.
- The remaining 45 samples were negative for the presence of MERS-CoV.
Conclusions:
- The GeneSig Human Coronavirus 2012 (MERS) kit demonstrates high utility for screening suspected respiratory cases.
- This assay is valuable for MERS-CoV surveillance in the Middle East and potentially other geographical areas.
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