Aim: We report the diagnostic evaluation of a confirmatory reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) kit targeting the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) N gene. Material & methods: 33 patient samples from two collections sites in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which were pre-characterized via real-time RT-PCR targeting MERS-CoV orf1a and upE , and were tested using the MERS-CoV N gene, as a confirmatory assay. This diagnostic procedure follows a two-step diagnostics scheme, recommended by the WHO. Results: 18/33 samples tested positive, 11/33 tested negative for MERS-CoV RNA and 2/33 showed uncertain results. Conclusion: The results suggest, that the RealStar ® MERS-CoV (N gene) RT-PCR kit 1.0 can be considered a suitable and reliable confirmatory assay in combination with the RealStar MERS-CoV RT-PCR kit 1.0 according to the diagnostic scheme recommended by WHO.
【저자키워드】 MERS-CoV, diagnostics, molecular diagnostics, real-time RT-PCR, preparedness, emerging diseases, WHO diagnostic scheme, 【초록키워드】 diagnostic, RT-PCR, Saudi Arabia, reverse transcription-PCR, Patient, WHO, N gene, Combination, Middle East, material, respiratory syndrome coronavirus, positive, RT-PCR kit, tested, the WHO, MERS-CoV N, MERS-CoV RNA, 【제목키워드】 diagnostic, reverse transcription-PCR, N gene, Middle East, verification, respiratory syndrome coronavirus,