Detection of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Lineage and Its BA.1 Variant with Multiplex RT-qPCR

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2022 Dec 23

PMID 36555794

Authors

Nikita D Yolshin

Andrey B Komissarov

Kirill V Varchenko

Tamila D Musaeva

Artem V Fadeev

Dmitry A Lioznov

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is considered the best instrument to track both virus evolution and the spread of new, emerging variants. However, WGS still does not allow the analysis of as many samples as qPCR does. Epidemiological and clinical research needs to develop advanced qPCR methods to identify emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 while collecting data on their spreading in a faster and cheaper way, which is critical for introducing public health measures. This study aimed at designing a one-step RT-qPCR assay for multiplex detection of the Omicron lineage and providing additional data on its subvariants in clinical samples. The RT-qPCR assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity on multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and was cross-validated by WGS.

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