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Three Novel Real-Time RT-PCR Assays for Detection of COVID-19 Virus
Peihua Niu1, Roujian Lu1, Li Zhao1
1Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health and Family Planning Commission, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, China.
What Is Already Known On This Topic?:
A novel human coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV, is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We have released the primers and probes of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays for the laboratory detection of COVID-19 infection.
What Is Added By This Report?:
Here we provide detailed technical data and evaluate the performance of three novel rRT-PCR assays targeting the ORF1ab, N, and E genes for detection of COVID-19 infection. The application of rRT-PCR assays among four types of specimens (alveolar lavage, sputum, throat swabs, and stool) from patients with COVID-19 indicated that the mean viral loads detected in sputum were higher than other specimens.
What Are The Implications For Public Health Practice?:
These rRT-PCR assays reported here could be used for laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 infection with high sensitivity, specificity, and applicability. Sputum rather than throat swabs and stool should be a priority for specimen collection for laboratory detection of COVID-19.
