Evaluation of the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel, the First Rapid Multiplex PCR Commercial Assay for SARS-CoV-2 Detection

Abstract

33In the race to contain SARS-CoV-2, efficient detection and triage of infected patients must 34 rely on rapid and reliable testing. In this work we performed the first evaluation of the 35 QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel (QIAstat-SARS) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This 36 assay is the first rapid multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay including SARS-CoV-2 detection, and is 37 fully compatible with a non-PCR trained laboratory or point-of-care (POC) testing. 38 This evaluation was performed using 69 primary clinical samples (66 NPS, 1 BAL and 1 39 tracheal aspirate and 1 bronchial aspirate) comparing the SARS-CoV-2 detection with the 40 currently WHO recommended RT-PCR (WHO-PCR) workflow. Additionally, a comparative 41 limit of detection (LoD) assessment was performed between QIAstat-SARS and the WHO-42 PCR using a quantified clinical sample. Compatibility of sample pre-treatment for viral 43 neutralisation or viscous samples with the QIAstat-SARS system were also tested. 44 The QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel demonstrated a comparable sensitivity to the 45 WHO recommended assay with a limit of detection at 1000 copies/mL. The overall percent 46 agreement between QIAstat-Dx SARS and WHO-PCR on 69 clinical samples was 97% with a 47 sensitivity at 100% (40/40) and specificity at 93% (27/29). No cross reaction was 48 encountered for any other respiratory viruses or bacteria included in the panel. 49 The QIAstat-SARS rapid multiplex-PCR panel provides a highly sensitive, robust and accurate 50 assay for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2. This assay allows rapid decisions even in non-PCR 51 trained laboratory or point-of-care testing, allowing innovative organisation. 52 on June 9, 2020 by guest http://jcm.asm.org/ Downloaded from 65 direct insertion of the NPS into the cartridge without additional manipulation. This 66 innovative design allows to test samples on demand in any laboratory, even not PCR trained, 67 or as a point-of-care (PoC) test with minimal training. The QIAstat-Dx SARS version of the 68 panel adds the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 in a previously unused amplification chamber, 69 thus without any change for sampling, extraction and PCR conditions for other respiratory 70 viruses' detection (4, 5). As for a few other rapid PCR assays available to date, results are 71 provided in about one hour, compared to labour-intensive three to four hours in-laboratory 72 workflow of most in-house PCR assays. The comprehensiveness and versatility of the kit can 73 potentially provide a useful tool, allowing innovative organisation to test patients suspected 74 of COVID-19 rapidly and with discrimination of other respiratory pathogens. This is of 75 on June 9, 2020 by guest http://jcm.asm.org/ Downloaded from Page 4 importance to accelerate isolation management, patient orientation and treatment 76 decisions. 77 Here, we report the first independent validation of this new commercial PCR assay for SARS-78 CoV-2 detection, using clinical samples both in laboratory and in the emergency department 79 as a point-of-care t...

Performance of Abbott ID Now COVID-19 Rapid Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Using Nasopharyngeal Swabs Transported in Viral Transport Media and Dry Nasal Swabs in a New York City Academic Institution

“…The molecular chemistry of INAAT is more complex than that of RT-PCR, involving more primers and intricate conformational rearrangements through enzymatic strand displacement, emphasizing the importance of target selection and primer design to performance. Another possible explanation is the potentially poorer performance of the RdRp target used in the Abbott assay than of other RNA targets as has been described previously (15,16). Recent reports indicate that mutations in the RdRp domain have been emerging (17).…”

Evaluation of the commercially available LightMix® Modular E-gene kit using clinical and proficiency testing specimens for SARS-CoV-2 detection

“…An increasing number of in-house and commercial COVID-19 RT-PCR assays have been described in the past 5 months [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. The commercially available LightMix® Modular SARS and Wuhan CoV Egene kit is widely used in clinical laboratories, but its performance has not been thoroughly evaluated with clinical specimens.…”

Laboratory diagnosis of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)

“…In 69 clinical samples analysis, the overall consistent percentage of QIAstat-DX SARS and RT-PCR recommended by WHO was 97%, with a specificity of 93% (27/29) and a sensitivity of 100% (40/40). No cross-reactions of other respiratory viruses or bacteria were observed in this assay [62]. The results indicated that QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel has a comparable sensitivity to RT-PCR assay.…”