Real-time PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 detection

• Autor(a) principal: Mesa, José Francisco Cancino
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Vitón Castillo, Adrián Alejandro, Casí Torres, Jorge
• Tipo de documento: preprint
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: SciELO Preprints
• Texto Completo: https://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/preprint/view/707
• topic: Polymerase Chain Reaction; Coronavirus Infections; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Infecciones por Coronavirus; Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa; Técnicas de Laboratorio Clínico

The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is a high precision technique to detect and amplify genetic material. Aim: To describe the use of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction as a laboratory test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Method: a literature review was conducted on articles published up to May 2020. A survey on the databases Scopus, Wiley Online Library, SciELO, DIALNET, EBSCO, MEDLINE and PubMed retrieved 40 articles of interest included in this research. Development: the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect SARS-CoV-2 targets the RNA polymerase dependent RNA, ORF1ab fragments, the E gene, the N gene and the S gene. Nasopharyngeal swabs offer better results than oropharyngeal swabs and saliva. The inclusion of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCR) using rectal swab in suspected false-negative cases is necessary. New studies and techniques are continuously developed to optimise the detection process. Conclusions: the availability of diagnostic tests is crucial for the identification of positive cases and the traceability of the transmission chain. RT-PCR is the test of choice during the active period of viral replication. The RT-LAMP assay is a rapid diagnostic alternative with similar principles to RT-PCR.