Researchers from the UK have developed a PCR testing method that allows you to accurately identify various options for SARS-COV-2 even in samples with a destroyed RNA of the virus. Describing a new methodology preprint published on medrxiv.org.
Developed by scientists from Oxford University and Imperial College of London The method of allele-specific probe PCR (ASP PCR) allows you to detect viral versions in real time, even in low-core RNA samples, which is characteristic of patients with COVID-19 in the later stages . The researchers tested their own method for 1082 samples taken from participants in clinical studies in the UK and Brazil, and compared with the results of sequencing samples 1771 patients.
The sensitivity of ASP PCR for the alpha option was 98 percent, and specificity – 100 percent. In addition, for the gamma option, these indicators amounted to 90-95 and 91-100 percent, respectively. Comparison of the results of a new method with a new generation sequencing data showed that the accuracy of the first 25 percent is higher. When with the help of ASP PCR, it was possible to determine the belonging of 95 percent of samples with a destroyed RNA, sequencing allowed for it only for 11 percent of such samples. The developers emphasize that their method is easily modified to identify new, unknown SARS-COV-2 options now.