SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) Detection Workflow for research use only
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. Based on its rapid spreading with more than 950,000 confirmed cases by the beginning of April 2020 the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Important facts:
- SARS-CoV-2: (+) ss-RNA virus
- Related to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV
- Detection based on basis of PCR
Analytik Jena offers a broad product portfolio in the field of nucleic acid extraction and PCR or real-time PCR with both extraction kits and the necessary equipment. For research purposes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 the following workflow is suggested.
1. Sample Collection
In principle, respiratory material such as nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs are suitable for the detection of respiratory pathogens. For more detailed information, recommendations of the WHO or other institutions should be observed.
Serum can also be used for serological tests, acute and convalescence samples.
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 | innuPREP Virus TS RNA Kit |
Automated | Middle | InnuPure C16 touch | Up to 16 samples / 31 - 84 min Extraction platform only | innuPREP AniPath DNA/RNA Kit - IPC16, non-filled innuPREP Virus DNA/RNA Kit - IPC16 (MDX)* innuPREP Virus DNA/RNA Kit - IPC16, non-filled |
| High | 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 TS RNA Kit 2.0 - 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 30th April 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:
TIB MOLBIOL: LightMix® Modular SARS-CoV (COVID19) E-gene (confirmed compatibility with qTOWER³)
TIB MOLBIOL: LightMix® Modular SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) RdRP (confirmed compatibility with qTOWER³)
TIB MOLBIOL: LightMix® Modular EAV RNA Extraction Control (confirmed compatibility with qTOWER³)
R-Biopharm: RIDA®GENE SARS-CoV-2 RUO
PrimerDesign: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Procomcure Biotech: PhoenixDx® 2019-nCoV RNA Detection Kit
The PCR set up can be pipetted by a liquid handling platform like CyBio FeliX . Using PCR workstations or cabinets increases maximum safety and minimizes 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.
Please note that all Analytik Jena AG products listed here are exclusively intended for research use only unless explicitly marked as CE-IVD.
Abhimanyu Pandey –
Analytik Jena AG –
Mustakim,MD,Clin.Path –
Florian Werner –
Bhuneshwar Behra –