A rapid and sensitive method to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus using targeted-mass spectrometry

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Virology

Background:

• The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, necessitates rapid and accurate diagnostic tools.
• Early detection and isolation are critical for controlling viral spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, sensitive, and rapid diagnostic method for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a targeted mass spectrometric approach for identifying SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a targeted mass spectrometric approach employing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).
• Analyzed naso-oropharyngeal swabs for the presence of two peptides specific to SARS-CoV-2.
• Compared the method's performance against RT-PCR for specificity and sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Achieved 100% specificity and 90.5% sensitivity compared to RT-PCR.
• Detected SARS-CoV-2 specific peptides within a 2.3-minute gradient run.
• Identified viral peptides in patients who had recovered and tested negative by RT-PCR, indicating high sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed mass spectrometry method provides a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2.
• This technique shows potential for diagnosing both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases.
• The method can complement existing diagnostic strategies for SARS-CoV-2.