A two minute liquid based sample preparation for rapid SARS-CoV2 real-time PCR screening: A multicentre evaluation

Journal of Clinical Virology, vol. 135, pp. 104720

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Apart from major health concerns associated to the SARS-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, also the diagnostic workflow encountered serious problems. Limited availability of kit components, buffers and even plastics has resulted in suboptimal testing procedures worldwide. Alternative workflows have been implemented to overcome these difficulties. Recently a liquid based sample prep has been launched as solution to overcome limitations in relation to nucleic acid extraction. OBJECTIVE: Multicenter evaluation of the QIAprep& Viral RNA UM kit (QIA P&A) for rapid sample preparation and real-time PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to standardized laboratory testing methods. STUDY DESIGN: Selected samples of the routine diagnostic workflow at Clinical Microbiology Laboratories of four Dutch hospitals have been subjected to the rapid QIA P&A protocol and the results have been compared to routine diagnostic data. RESULTS: 31. Prospectively 60 samples were tested and also showed 100 % concordance with 5 positives. The method has been automated by two centres. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an input of only 8 μL of clinical sample, the QIA P&A kit showed good performance for sample preparation and amplification of SARS-CoV-2 and can contribute as a rapid molecular testing strategy in managing the CoV-2 pandemic.

Authors 7

1. Eric C. J. Claas corresponding Aachen Department of Medical Microbiology

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: e.claas@lumc.nl

   Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Pieter Willem Smit

   Maasstad Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Maasstad Hospital, Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

3. Mario J.A.W.M. van Bussel Aachen Department of Medical Microbiology

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden, the Netherlands

4. Harold Verbakel

   Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Microvida Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

5. Mohammed Taouil

   Maasstad Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Maasstad Hospital, Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

6. Jaco J. Verweij

   Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Microvida Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

7. Steven Thijsen

   Diakonessenhuis hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Diakonessenhuis Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, the Netherlands