Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of two PCR-based techniques for detecting SARS-CoV-2 variant Alpha (B.1.1.7). Materials & methods: A multicenter prospective cohort with 1137 positive specimens from Slovenia was studied. A mutation-based assay (rTEST-COVID-19 qPCR B.1.1.7 assay) and amplification curve pattern analysis of the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 assay were compared with whole-genome sequencing. Results: SARS-CoV-2 variant Alpha was detected in 155 samples (13.6%). Sensitivity and specificity were 98.1 and 98.0%, respectively, for the rTEST-COVID-19 qPCR B.1.1.7 assay and 97.4 and 97.5%, respectively, for amplification curve pattern analysis. Conclusion: The good analytical performance of both methods was confirmed for the preliminary identification of SARS-CoV-2 variant Alpha. This cost-effective principle for screening SARS-CoV-2 populations is also applicable to other emerging variants and may help to conserve some whole-genome sequencing resources.
Keywords: B.1.1.7; SARS-CoV-2; Seegene SARS-CoV-2 assay; Slovenia; variant of concern.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, variant of concern, B.1.1.7, Slovenia, Seegene SARS-CoV-2 assay, 【초록키워드】 whole-genome sequencing, variant, SARS-CoV-2 variant, Population, specificity, Accuracy, B.1.1.7, qPCR, Alpha, multicenter, prospective cohort, Analysis, Slovenia, specimen, help, material, positive, resources, amplification curve, evaluate, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2 variant, Analysis, amplification curve,