SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) Detection Workflow
Thu 5 Mar, 2020
Overview of the SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) Detection Process
In December 2019 the novel SARS-CoV-2 (formerly named 2019-nCoV or commonly named coronavirus) was identified in Wuhan, the capital of China’s province Hubei. Observations show that the virus is capable of spreading from person to person and causes COVID-19 – an acute respiratory disease with incubation periods estimated between 2-14 days. Based on its rapid spreading with more than 87,000 confirmed cases by the beginning of March 2020 the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Electron-microscopical image of SARS-CoV-2
Testing induced for:
- People with acute respiratory symptoms AND stay in risk areas
- Symptomatic people that had contact with people of confirmed COVID-19
- Negative results despite strong suspicions of infection require new sampling and PCR analysis
Complete Detection Workflow
Analytik Jena offers a complete workflow from sampling until the final detection of the virus which is only suitable for research purposes. This article gives you detailed information for sampling, extraction and detection.
1. Sample Preparation
According to WHO1:
- Respiratory material* (nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab in ambulatory patients and sputum (if produced) and/or endotracheal aspirateor bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with more severe respiratory disease)
- Serum for serological testing, acute sample and convalescent sample (this is additional to respiratory materials and can support the identification of the true agent, once serologic assay is available)
*Modifiable with information on whether upper or lower respiratory material is better for coronavirus detection.
1www.who.int/publications-detail/laboratory-testing-for-2019-novel-coronavirus-in-suspected-human-cases-20200117
2. Nucleic Acid Extraction
Analytik Jena offers a choice of extraction platforms and related extraction kits for extraction of viral RNA from swabs, cell free body fluids (e.g. serum, plasma, liquor) and more. The product line innuPREP AniPath allows the simultanous extraction of both bacterial and viral DNA and/or RNA from respective starting materials. A detailed overview is shown in the table below.
| Handling | Sample throughput | Extraction platform | Extraction kit | |
| Name | Key features | |||
| Manual | Low | - | Up to 12 samples / 25 min | |
Automated | Middle | InnuPure C16 touch | Up to 16 samples / 31 - 84 min Extraction platform only | innuPREP AniPath DNA/RNA Kit - IPC16 innuPREP Virus DNA/RNA Kit - IPC16 (MDX)* innuPREP Virus DNA/RNA Kit - IPC16 |
| Middle | CyBio FeliX | Up to 96 samples / 62 - 73 min Extraction platform + liquid handling (e.g. preparation of PCR) | innuPREP AniPath DNA/RNA Kit – FX** innuPREP Virus DNA/RNA Kit - FX | |
| High | KingFisher Flex | Up to 96 samples / 60 min Extraction platform only | innuPREP AniPath DNA/RNA Kit - KFFLX innuPREP RNA Virus PLUS Kit (MDX) – KFFLX * innuPREP RNA Virus PLUS Kit – KFFLX | |
* CE IVD kits only available in Germany
** Release planned for 31st March 2020
3. Amplification and Detection
Molecular assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and are accessible through the homepage of the WHO. Furthermore, several commercial kits based on Real-time PCR are available such as:
- Coronavirus (Strain 2019-nCoV) by Genesig/Primerdesign
- SARS-CoV-2 detection assay by TIB MOLBIOL
- RIDA® GENE Novel Coronavirus 2019 RUO Tests by r-biopharm
The PCR set up can be pipetted by a liquid handling platform like CyBio FeliX . Using PCR workstations or cabinets offer maximum safety and minimize contamination risks. Single components such as reverse transcriptase or others are available via Analytik Jena as well. In general all Real-time PCR-based assays can be established on the qTOWER3 Real-time thermal cycler family provided by Analytik Jena or similar. Implementations of selected assays are in progress and respective information will be provided as soon as available.
Downloads
Flyer Workflow detection of SARS-CoV-2 (English)
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