Toward Community Surveillance: Detecting Intact SARS-CoV-2 Using Exogeneous Oligonucleotide Labels

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates improved SARS-CoV-2 testing efficiency.
• Current RT-qPCR sensitivity decreases with increased sample pooling, limiting its effectiveness.

Approach:

• Introduced DIVER, a novel method for quantifying intact virus particles robust to dilution.
• DIVER involves tagging viral particles with oligonucleotides, capturing them on ACE2-functionalized beads, and quantifying tags via qPCR.
• Validated DIVER using SARS-CoV-2 models like spike-presenting liposomes and lentivirus.

Key Points:

• DIVER detects 1x10^5 liposomes and 100 pfu lentivirus.
• Successfully identified positive samples in pooling experiments.
• The method is robust to sample dilution, a key limitation in pooled testing.

Conclusions:

• DIVER offers a robust solution for sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in pooled samples.
• The method is well-suited for efficient sample pooling and expanded community surveillance strategies.
• Enhances diagnostic capabilities for infectious disease outbreaks.