Classic RNA extraction is efficient for subsequent detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swab samples

Abstract

Background: Mass testing is a fundamental measure for tracking and controlling the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The standard diagnosis for infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) involves the extraction of nucleic acids for the recognition of viral genes present in biological samples collected from the population. This worldwide demand affects the distribution of specific reagents and difficult to expand the number of tests. The aim of the study was to compare the quality of the extracted material using a commercial kit and a phenol-based reagent and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. We performed these two RNA extraction protocols with 15 samples positive for SARS-CoV-2. Results: Our analysis showed that there was no reduction in the sensitivity of the RT-PCR test or direct impact on the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Both methodologies proved to be useful and show similar results, confirming the possibility of using alternative RNA extraction protocols for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.