RT-qPCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2: A Primer
Stephen A. Bustin, Tania Nolan
Abstract
Testing for the presence of coronavirus is an essential diagnostic tool for monitoring and managing the current COVID-19 pandemic. The only reliable test in current use for testing acute infection targets the genome of SARS-CoV-2, and the most widely used method is quantitative fluorescence-based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Despite its ubiquity, there is a significant amount of uncertainty about how this test works, potential throughput and reliability. This has resulted in widespread misrepresentation of the problems faced using this test during the current COVID-19 epidemic. This primer provides simple, straightforward and impartial information about RT-qPCR.
Topics & Concepts
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Primer (cosmetics)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Computational biologyVirologyDiagnostic testBiologyPandemicReal-time polymerase chain reactionReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction2019-20 coronavirus outbreakPolymerase chain reactionMedicineGeneticsChemistryGenePathologyOutbreakDiseaseEmergency medicineOrganic chemistryInfectious disease (medical specialty)Messenger RNASARS-CoV-2 detection and testingMolecular Biology Techniques and ApplicationsSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research